I choose West and Central Africa. I choose Africa because I would like to visit
this country one day and was interested to find out more about this area of the
world. The children in West and Central
Africa are faced with a lot of challenges such as disease. Many children die of malaria diarrheoal
diseases and vaccine preventable diseases such as the measles. Malnutrition is widespread in the region. In the Sahel countries half of the child
mortality is related to under-nutrition in children. 1.1 million children under 5 will suffer
acute malnutrition and 3 million will suffer moderate acute malnutrition. Poverty and traditional beliefs keep 40% of
children out of school and girls in particular are penalized the most. If children do attend school they are faced
with sexual and other forms of violence in school. Many of the children in this region are
exploited in other ways as well child trafficking, child labor, children in
armed conflicts, children victims of harmful traditional practices. There are many children who are orphaned by
AIDS. In West and Central Africa today
there are close to 5 million children who have been left without the caring and
protection of one or both of their parents.
The children in West and Central Africa are faced with many
challenges that threaten their well-being.
The problem of malnutrition is causing deaths of many children in this
region. As for the children that survive
malnutrition their physical development is delayed and jeopardized. Malnutrition affects these young children’s
brain development which can cause developmental delays. Many of the children who have lost parents to
the AIDS virus will suffer emotional problems due to a lack of emotional
support that a parent or parents offer young children.
It is very hard to read about the afflictions and challenges
young children around the world are experiencing. I am glad that I am teaching in America since
we are not faced with such widespread hunger and exploitation. I am glad that I live in America, but feel an
obligation toward the young children in other countries that are not
experiencing a healthy childhood. While
reading about West and Central Africa I kept thinking what can I do to make a
difference in some of these young children’s lives. Can I volunteer to go to Africa to teach or
maybe I can participate in mission work.
I feel that all Early Childhood Professionals should take an active part
in trying to make the lives of these children better.
Reference: UNICEF (2011). http://www.unicef.org
It is heart breaking that children around the world face such malnutrition. It is often easily forgotten here in America where we do not see this in the extreme instances that it does occur around the world. I think it is very neat that you are interested in teaching in Africa. I helped with an organization that a young by started called Books for Africa! It is very easy to become involved in! You should check it out.
ReplyDeleteI chose to research West and Central Africa as well. It is a region of the world that I have mental images of but wanted to know exactly what it was like there for young children. Along with the information you shared about the region, there is genital mutilation of girls ages 4-14. I wonder if people from this region are as appalled with the emotional torture young children are being put through as we are.
ReplyDeleteI am going to look into the Books for Africa organization mentioned above. I'd like to help out in any way possible to being joy to children.
Caitlyn
Fawn,
ReplyDeleteI too find it difficult to read about the afflictions that children around the world are going through. It breaks my heart to know that children around the world are suffering and do not have what children here in America have. I too wonder what I can do to make a difference in these children's lives. It is neat that you would like to volunteer to teach there. I also like the idea of organizations that could help these children. I like the idea of a breakfast club that could at least ensure that the children had one good meal for the day.