Poverty

I was astonished at the number of children and families living in poverty here in South Carolina.  You can't help but wonder what is really being done to help families?  When the state average is above the national average, then something isn't right.

Listening to the World Forum Podcast, Susan Lyon was speaking.  She brought the Innovative Teacher Project from Italy to San Francisco (http://www.innovativeteacherproject.org/).  She started working with children at the age of 22, with children with disabilities and emotional problems.  One of the children in her 1st grade class really made an impact on her.  When trying to teach him the word "city," he responded "such a small word for such a big place."

What Susan liked about the project above is that it portrayed a progressive image of children.  She also liked the 100 Languages of Children.  Susan wanted to prove that this kind of public work can really make a difference.

In addition to the podcast, I also read about poverty in India.  In 2001, out of 1.03 billion people, 260.2 million lived in poverty.  Over the last several decades, India has tried to reduce the number of families in poverty by increasing economic growth and providing "participatory and empowerment based approaches."  Although this has helped to reduce the number of families in poverty over time, the number today is still high.  As for the children living in poverty, it is difficult for India to place these 33 million children into primary school, and just as difficult to keep the children there.

http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/index.php?action=countryo#11


My eyes have really been opened to the number of children and families living in poverty.  I see all these programs that are around to help families by giving them food and shelter, but it seems as if something more needs to be done.  I have been thinking quite a bit on what else can be done, something to educate families and parents...hopefully I will be able to come up with something to contribute and make a difference.