I chose the
Eastern and Southern Africa region for this assignment. I have never researched this area before and
I would someday like to possibly travel to Africa. I found the information on the UNICEF website
to be eye-opening and enlightening.
According
to the regional overview of this portion of the world, some of the countries
are politically unstable, such as Somalia which has not had political peace
since 1991 (UNICEF, n.d.). Poverty is
another issue in many of the countries.
Family incomes are, on the lower income, $995 annually, to $3,946 for
the upper middle class (UNICEF, n.d.). The
region also suffers from a high mortality rate in children under five. Maternal care is often lacking, resulting in
death of the mother due to complications. Many children suffer from “severe
acute malnutrition” (UNICEF, n.d., para. 3).
Children’s growth is also stunted due to a lack of vitamins in their
diet. In some countries, sanitation is
not proper, so the water supply becomes tainted. Immunizations are helping improve the lives
of children of the region, but there are still “more than 20 percent left
unprotected” (UNICEF, n.d., para. 1).
Malaria is another risk factor for children of this region. Children of the region are also involved in
child labor at an early age. There is a
high rate of sexual violence and exploitation, but some countries are working
to increase laws against these acts (UNICEF, n.d.).
If a child
is involved in child labor, they cannot attend school. Basic necessities are not the norm in some
countries. Having clean drinking water
and a low food supply causes malnourishment and can affect the child for life,
and even cause death. I would think these
conditions would cause the focus to be on survival. A child could be emotionally damaged from
being exploited or abused. If a mother
dies in childbirth or shortly thereafter, I would think that may cause
emotional effects for the surviving child.
In reading
about this region of the world, I see that there are huge problems
worldwide. Sometimes it is easy to just
live in a bubble and act as if the world is a carefree, happy place for
everyone. I learned through doing this
assignment that there are definite needs in the world that go beyond my comfort
zone. For instance, I learned that
malaria is preventable, if the family will use a mosquito net. Wow! I
am not being critical, it just amazes me.
I know that some families may not have access to these things. It stirs my desire to see what I could do to
help. I also realized how selfish I can
be at times. Although I was raised poor,
I have never suffered any of the traumas that many children of the region have
suffered.
UNICEF. (n.d.) Eastern
and southern Africa: Fast facts on children.
Retrieved June 21, 2013 from http://www.unicef.org/esaro/factsonchildren_5781.html
UNICEF. (n.d.). Eastern and southern Africa. Retrieved June 21, 2013 from http://www.unicef.org/esaro/index.html
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteYou are right that the simple things that we take for granted can save lives somewhere else. I did not know about malaria and the mosquito net, and I am sure many of Americans have not. I bet if we informed them of this problem we could raise money for every family to have a mosquito net in their home. Got my mind thinking Kristi!!!!!! Great post.
Hello Kristi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that. The problems of the world can be found right here in the United States just not on as large of a scale. When I look at other counties it is clear what real poverty is about. The cycle of caring for each other is so important. We talk about having our child in school year round and there are counties that are just trying to get their children in school. Like you I am not making little of the issue, I am saying that we need to see the big picture at all times. I guess it is good to be reminded just how good we have it and just how much help we can give to the world. I read about Latin America and the Caribbean and the children face some of the same issues, malnutrition and immunization and poverty, and problems in the homes.
Reference:
UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html
Hi Kristi,
ReplyDeleteI think that a lot of people take what they have for granted. It is easy to do if you have always had it. It is good to be reminded that not everyone has things. A lot of people around the world are not even getting their basic needs met. Thank you for reminding us not to take life for granted.
Luci
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteI chose central Africa. I was so shocked how poverty impacted children in this area. I can definetly learn from this information to improve things in my area.
Kristi-
ReplyDeleteI chose East Asia and Pacific Islands and they are having the same issues with child labor and exploitation. My husband is from the Philippines and said that right now that country is going through an awful faze where they are kidnapping children and selling them to another country for awful deeds such as those. Also your statements about the salary are eyeopening and humbling. I too realized after this assignment that there is much to be thankful for and to be more conscious about the world around me. Thanks for the blog!
Kristi,
ReplyDeleteI really liked the facts that you presented in your blog. I started to do this region also now I'm kind of glad I didn't because you did a wonderful job. I think having the children work is really sad and reading about some children growing up with out their mother really broke my heart. This assignment was really an eye opener because it opened your eyes, and it helps you become more understanding to other people's needs. Thanks for sharing!
I too chose a region of Africa for this weeks blog. It amazes me how much malnutrition, poverty, poor education they are faced with. With the information provided I will move forward with becoming more aware of the way others live around the world.
ReplyDelete