Although the only responses I have received with regards to establishing international contacts have been of the "Thank you for your interest. Your request will be sent to the appropriate person" variety, I did manage to learn a few things by reading teacher blogs from other countries: although we may live oceans away, teachers all over the world have many similar concerns: how to stretch their budgets, how to best meet the needs of their students, and sharing ideas with others.
By checking the webpage: http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_childpoverty.html, I was able to become more aware of poverty as a worldwide issue. I became acutely aware that, while teachers around the globe share similar concerns, the challenges they face may be quite different.
1.
The lack of education of girls around the world is still
of major concern. According to this website, over 60 million females of school
age were not enrolled in school in 2011. UNICEF is working to remove obstacles that
prohibit girls from attending school and gaining much needed education.
2.
Poverty is an issue in every country in the world. The
struggles may not look the same in industrialized nations as it does in others,
such as war-torn regions, but the heart of the matter is the same: lack of
food, lack of adequate shelter, lack of clean water, lack of safety.
3.
Health issues are a major concern among those living in
poverty. Malnutrition, lack of clean water, lack of sanitation, lack of health
care services and lack of education all contribute to dire medical concerns.
Instead of being inspired by the progress made thus far, I am heartbroken to realize that in this journey of a thousand steps, we seems to have made but a few.
I researched UNICEF also. I did gain a new understanding in all the world that they do provide. Just simple clean water could keep so many children from dying. The mortality rates for children under 5 are heart wrenching.... Two doses of vitamin A can help save a child's life. I complain because my electric bill is $350 and water $80. I need to be more grateful that God as provided with with a home, good job and the ability to pay for such instead of complaining. My daughter and I are safe. I have the ability to place her in a prep school and we have health insurance. What a blessing I have.
ReplyDeleteI share your sentiment of not having received any comments back from the numerous emails I sent. UNICEF is an awesome organization because they try to help so many all around the world. While their goal of eliminating vitamin A and iodine deficiencies, tremendous progress has been made through food fortification and supplementation. The number of households in the developing world consuming iodized salt has risen from less than 20 per cent in 1990 to over 70 per cent today. Half of the world’s children are receiving vitamin A supplements, saving an estimated 300,000 lives each year (UNICEF Challenges). This is good news but there are still so many more that are in need and could use a helping hand.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that I am not the only one who has not heard back from any of the ECE professionals that we have contacted from other countries. I have to say that the UNICEF is a great organization because of how they try and help so many people from around the world. Some of the things we take for granted here in America is something so BIG in another country. It makes you very grateful for everything you have.
ReplyDeleteI would encourage you to reach out on Facebook. There are several groups that I reached out to and have gotten a response from. They can be issue with timing due to the difference in time but this is on route you may want to try. I to feel we have made some progress but it is just not enough. Poverty is not just American problem but a global one. This issue doesn't affect on race but all and we must fight to end childhood poverty.
ReplyDelete