Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2
First, I decided to explore a little more the Unicef website. Dr. Mohammad Yunus who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, “Creating a poverty-free world” says that “poverty is not created by poor people but by the system”. Dr. Yunus promoted micro-financing in Bangladesh and helped many families rise above poverty. In the video, Dr. Yunus uses the metaphor of the bonsai tree to explain poverty. From the tallest tree in the forest, we take the best seed and plant it in a flower pot. The tree will grow small even though there is nothing wrong with the seed because it came from the tallest in the forest: something is wrong with the base, the flower pot. Dr. Yunus recommends society gives more space to poor people, more opportunities, and they will be able to make a decent living for themselves.
Resources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C3XQ3BTd4o
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/bangladesh_36162.html
How does early exposure to education, providing infants and toddlers with a stimulating environment that ensure the building of healthy brain pathways prevent behavior problems and lack of motivation in school? Underprivileged children benefit the most from universal preschool because this may be the only place where their curiosity for the world will be solicited which in turn will get them ready to succeed in primary school. Although affluent children are most likely receiving adequate brain stimulation since birth, why do they experience behavior problems and lack of motivation in school? It appears that poverty creates lifelong issues difficult for underprivileged children to overcome. Making preschool available and accessible for all children can greatly reduce achievement gaps without totally eradicating inequalities.
After watching the Unicef video filmed in Georgia, I am wondering if the early childhood education brought by the occident in demand of the Georgian government might not create conflicts with families when their children become aware of their cultural environment. In an effort to push English to first position as first foreign language, native English teachers are encouraged to teach in Georgia. What will the outcome of such a big push for western values?
Resources
http://www.unicefusa.org/news/video/
On the “Current Context for Global Child Development” at the Center on the Developing Child, health and development are in the spotlight. The article mentions that the global community has acknowledged the importance of “early childhood health and development”, and critical health factor in successful physical and emotional development,. However, children in many countries continue to suffer from malnutrition and infections as the converging understanding of economists, neuroscientists and politicians brings these children and families some hope. Early childhood science has the potential to bring positive change to the world.
Resources
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/global_initiative/ubc/
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/topics/global_child_development/current_context_/
Since Cyle has not yet replied to my last email, I decided to investigate two programs that stemmed from a desire to remedy children’s health problems.
The first one originates in the province of Quebec, Canada. Dr. Gilles Julien, pediatrician, strives to develop social pediatrics in communities for the well-being of the greater number of children. Social pediatrics is based on trust, respect, and working closely with children and their families, in partnerships with various systems and organizations that play a role in children’s life to better meet their health needs. This practice helps children and their families to regain control of their lives. In this sense, the model departs from the notion of "support" and adopts the empowerment and involvement of the child, the family and the community. The model promotes actions focused on the strengths of children, families and the creative potential of the community, according to the African concept that “the village is responsible for their children." This practice involves an impressive number of partners from the extended family, community, community groups, civil society and institutions. It promotes social commitment to enrich the living environment of the child and contributes to the social and economic equity.
Ashoka Canada - Everyone is a change maker - works in partnership with Dr. Julien’s Foundation. They envision “a world that responds quickly and effectively to social challenges, and where each individual has the freedom, confidence and societal support to address any social problem and drive change”.
Resources
http://canada.ashoka.org/videos
http://www.socialmedicine.org/
Secondly, the Chicuchas Wasi school in Cusco, Perú, drew my attention as my friend was describing it. The following is an excerpt from Chicuchas Wasi’s home page:
We have worked for 25 years to educate the families, and the Andean community, regarding the value of their (girl) children and the many abilities they will develop if given the opportunity for a future out of poverty and economic dependence. We strive to prepare these girls with skills that will enable them to defend themselves economically when they become adults. Through the experience of their years of education, our girls will instill in their own future children the knowledge that there are choices other than poverty and dependency on a father, brother or husband for survival. We hope to stem the flow of unwanted children who are often abandoned when their fathers leave their mothers with no income, no food, no social resources. Without formal education, and left to survive as a mother alone, women are forced to seek security with another man who often will not accept the women's children by another man – and child abandonment is often the result.
Chicuchas Wasi began in 1987 as an organization caring for abandoned children in Cusco. The indigenous Andean community lives in poverty, often lacking clean water, food, medical care, and education. We have made much progress in our 25 years, assisting the Andean community by providing free education for many of their girls who enter and continue in our school each year.
This project is a testament to what poverty brings to children and their families. This project speaks about an excellent program striving to reduce inequity.
Resources
http://www.chicuchaswasi.org/chicuchaswasi.org/Home.html