Poverty is the worst form of violence
– Mahatma Gandhi
– Mahatma Gandhi
More than 1 billion people on earth, half of them children are victims of poverty. Poverty has many faces. This video by World Bank gives an idea on how poverty is measured.
Therefore, to reduce poverty would require dedication and commitment to provide a good start in the life of children and work towards caring for the ‘whole child’.
Let’s look at how this issue of poverty on young children is dealt in different countries. To know the trends in Germany, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates, I contacted three Early Childhood Professionals in these countries.
Trends in GERMANY
My contact Wanda Martin stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany is a teacher in the Department of Defense teaching special Ed at the high school level.
According to the website http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/mar2012/germ-m08.shtml the poverty level in Germany has dropped by 750,000 since 2006. According to the new report by the Joint Welfare Association, one in seven children under 15 in Germany are dependent on welfare payments. This figure rises to one in four children in East Germany. Half of all children dependent on welfare live in a single-parent household.
“I looked up the information on Germany and was surprised by the information as they do so much for their families. When a woman becomes pregnant she is allowed to take off for up to 3 years with pay. The amount of pay decreases by the 3rd year encouraging mom to return to work. The families receive child support until the child graduates or quit school, which they can at the age of 16. As the child gets older the amount of child support decreases.” Wanda (July 12, 2012).
Trends in INDONESIA
My contact in Indonesia is Fahra Amiroeddin, who is currently working in The World Bank prior to which she worked as education curriculum consultant in UNICEF and Save the Children.
Government of Indonesia has tried to help poor families in Indonesia by waiving tuition for basic education (elementary school and secondary school). However, the cost of studying not only consists of tuition. Children need books, uniforms or clothes, transports to be able to attend school. In health department, though the government has tried to provide free health service for the poor, its quality is questionable and some hospitals are reluctant to accept the poor family since the subsidy from the government are always late or sometimes corrupted. Early childhood is somehow missed out in their concern as they perceive education for all as basic education i.e. elementary and secondary only. However they have now started to build early childhood centers and hopefully will grow more in the future.
“I happen to work in the field of education and child protection in my home country Indonesia and the two issues often cross-cut in early childhood education as you can see in my response. I still see Indonesia as a poor country. Despite government claim that it’s been decreasing I still see the gap between rich people, middle class and poor families as very wide. Poverty has been affecting people in ways that they’re not able to access health and quality education to say the least. Impoverish family are usually unable to send their children to attend early childhood education or are unaware of its importance. I honestly believe that early childhood is the golden era of a child where their cognitive, emotion and psychomotor develop. The Failure to stimulate this stage of development, children will be unable to reach their full potential. Education is the most powerful weapon to eradicate poverty” Fahra (July 10, 2012).
Here are the links that might help to get a picture of early childhood in Indonesia
http://www.childresearch.net/PROJECT/ECEC/asia/indonesia/report12_01.html
http://www.childfund.org/indonesia/
http://www.unicef.org/indonesia/children.html
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTINDONESIA/Resources/Publication/280016-1152870963030/ReportECED.pdf
Trends in United Arab Emirates
My contact in UAE is Claire Watson, is an Early Childhood Consultant currently working as a teacher trainer in UAE with prior work experience at the government level. I did not receive an email response from her, but was however able to contact her by phone.
Thirty years ago the UAE was one of the least developed countries of the world. But today, the United Arab Emirates is one of the wealthiest nations in the world and its citizens enjoy the highest standard of living in the Middle East. UAE population consists of the UAE citizens and the expatriates (citizen of another country employed here which accounts for around 88.5 per cent of the country's total population). The UAE Government offers to all its UAE citizens’ free services which include education, health and other benefits. This is the link to information on the UAE’s economic status http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/12.pdf. Without a job visa and sufficient financial status an employee cannot sponsor his family here. This means there is no issue of poverty and children facing such challenges.
From the various approaches we see how poverty has been reduced. However, it also reminds us how much work is there to do in fighting poverty because poverty still exists. Let us join hands with UNICEF and other similar organization in their quest to make this world a better place.
Deepa,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed viewing the video clips on poverty. Sometimes it is difficult to see others in that much poverty because it is such an eye awakening experience. When I view these sorts of clips, immediately I start thinking of ways I can contribute to the people of my community. I say, as a person, educator and mentor, “What can I do to ease the burden of children and families?” I recognize that I do not have large amounts of money but I do have time, education and wisdom. I am going to use Fahra Amiroeddin’s saying because it is so true. “Education is the most powerful weapon to eradicate poverty.” I agree with you when you say “let’s join hands with UNICEF and other organizations in their quest to make this world a better place.” I believe that everyone has something significant to contribute to the welfare of the world’s children.
Deepa-
ReplyDeleteWow, you definitely worked hard in connecting and communicating with your contacts! Awesome! I also work for the Department of Defense in Germany, and I also agree in that the government has it right in providing for their families. My husband (who is German) was able to take the full three years from his job, and care for my daughter. Companies, by law, must save your job until the three years is up if you want to return. Wanda is also correct in that the pay decreases year by year, but your job is available for the full 3 years which I think is so great. If you have 3 kids, and plan a child every 3 years, you could be away from your job for 9 years, and still come back...guaranteed! When I was pregnant with my first child living in Germany, my German neighbors were shocked that I worked right up to the due date. Many mothers take 4 to 8 weeks before their child is born to prepare for their new bundle of joy. Very interesting information Deepa, and your blog presentation looks awesome too. Loved the videos as well...thank you-
Tammy
Deepa,
ReplyDeleteVery powerful videos! Thanks for sharing these with us!
Your information on poverty from your contacts was educational. I am praticularly interested in the German system of having 3 years off! Wow! I also find that the statement from Fahra is quite inspiring-education as a means of eradicating poverty. I have been stirred by your blog, and it reminds me that I need to be busy in my corner of the world, doing what I can, to help the war on poverty.
Kristi