This week for my blog I wanted
to explore the UNICEF’s webpage and read about childhood poverty particularly
in Mexico. I was interested in Mexico because
my wife comes from a Mexican descendent and more so because for the last 50
years my father-in-law has been supporting impoverish families during Christmas
time by putting food baskets together with toys and clothes. We then go to the most impoverish areas in
Mexico and deliver them to those most needed families.
In researching further what UNICEF shows about Mexico it came
to my learning that over 10 million Mexican children live in conditions of food
poverty meaning that these children live in home where income was insufficient
to purchase the basic food basket. In 2005 over 24% of children experienced
sever deprivation of housing and children that lived in a home with more then 5
family members lived in one room with dirt floor. These kids do not have access to sanitation
services, nor television, internet or know how to read.
There are also many rural areas in Mexico in which
indigenous people live and they live in precarious conditions. They do not have access to quality basic
services and close to 28% of indigenous households with children under the age
of 17 are in the lowest income quintile.
Children experience deprivation of dwellings, sanitation, water,
information, nutrition, health and education.
Also, over 15.7 million children do not receive vaccinations or have
access to medical care.
As I continued to read upon this study my heart felt compelled
to learn how much poverty there is in Mexico and that children are the ones
affected in all areas. As a community I
believe its great to have this information because it gives everyone a real
picture of the challenges Mexico faces with so much poverty. My hope that with this findings Mexican
policy holders find the need to change laws and policy that could help eradicate
so much poverty.
This was a very interesting read. Thank you for sharing. I wonder, with food poverty being such an issue, what is the importance of education.
ReplyDeleteIf we think about it what are the chances of putting emphasis on education when ones stomach is empty?
Thank you for sharing!