Imagine all the children and families directly affected by poverty in that country. The statistics are alarming. "In 2001 49 per cent of urban young people under 20 and 55 per cent of rural under 20s lived in poverty in 2001 with 18 per cent unable to afford even their basic food needs. For young children the contrast is even starker - 57 per cent of urban infants under 1, and 65 per cent of rural under 1s lived in poverty." (CHIP 2012) This has caused for children to drop out of school and begin to work to help support their families and themselves. The type of jobs they are doing are mostly working on farms and other agricultural jobs. Also they are due to there being a large number of homeless children, child prostitution and trafficking is a common occupation as well.
It's good to know there is a plan of action to tackle the poverty issue in Kyrgyzstan. There is a specific plan that takes on child poverty. It's a three year plan that is national implemented. Programs focus on social welfare and encourage children to stay in school. (CHIP 2012)
Kyrgyzstan. (2012) Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre. Retrieved from http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo#25
Hi Dawn
ReplyDeleteAs you described how poverty severely affected children and families, I recalled the quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "Poverty is the worst form of violence". How true is this statement that poverty like violence can destroy the well being of children with long lasting effect. Poverty is indeed a serious issue needs to be wiped out ...
Dawn, it is horrible how bad poverty is in some countries! I pray that the programs that are being put into place help those poor children. Our church has two mission project, one in Guatemala and one in Malawi. We are trying to help poverty by teaching the people in those countries to help themselves, as well as providing food, clothing, medical supplies, clean water, schools, and school supplies. One way that we can help child poverty is to become advocates and to do our own part in any way that we can.
ReplyDeleteReading your post has reminded me of how good even the poorest Americans have it. I am shocked that so many children did not receive any medical care ever. I agree that it is very sad that a family has to make a choice between basic needs and education or health care all because of a lack of funds. These are all things that are necessary to survive and be successful.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is it makes feel truly blessed Dawn, to live in America. As it is a time of Thanksgiving I would like to say thank you Dawn for reminding how thankful I am of living in a country that is able to worship freely and have a chance make a better life for myself.
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