West and Central Africa is the area I chose to share with my colleagues. I
chose this area because I wanted to learn the many challenges that children face in this region. I also wanted to share my findings with family and friends who are professionals in the field.
The challenges that the children are facing in this region is very uncomfortable to discuss. Some of those challenges include sexual abuse and violence in the school environment. School is suppose to be one of the safest place for our young children. Children in the region are also being abused and exploited in many ways: child trafficking, child labor, children in armed conflicts, children victims of harmful traditional practices (UNICEF, 2011, para, 2). How unfortunate is this? How can the children concentrate with all of this going on? Poverty is also a challenge that the children face. Poverty and traditional beliefs keep 40% of children out of school (UNICEF, 2011, para, 2). The children in this region are dying rapidly due to various diseases and malnutrition.
Indeed, these experiences will have an effect on children's emotional well being and development. It will be difficult for children to concentrate on their academics. Children will be afraid to socialize with others which will result in unhealthy relationships.
Personal and Professional Reflection
I am very saddened by the challenges that the young children are facing in this region. It is unfortunate that a large percentage of children in this region do not live to see their 5th birthday. Not only are children facing these challenges in West and Central Africa, but they are facing them in every parts of the world. I would more than likely be very sensitive to children who are experiencing this in my classroom. I would be eager to build relationships with families to help children cope with their experiences. But I cannot help but wonder, what if the parents feel that they do not need any help? Any suggestions colleagues?
Reference
UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/english/overview_4544.htm
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Hi Latasha,
ReplyDeleteI too chose this region to further investigate. It was really hard to see that the children were not even safe at school, a place where many children in the US go to get away from their own problems at home. To see that the children in West and Central Africa are being abused in school almost brought me to tears. It's as if they have no outlet to get away from it all because it follows them everywhere. Then to see that some children don't make it to their 5th birthday was very difficult to hear. I have a 6 year old daughter and one on the way, so I couldn't imagine either one of them going through so many challenges at such a young age. I am too wanting to work with UNICEF and families to help protect the children, but I feel the political leaders can do a better job of leading by example so all can follow suit. Thank you for sharing.
Shayla
Hello Latasha,
ReplyDeleteI see that regions where faced with the same challenges such as abused and exploited in many ways: child trafficking, child labor, children in armed conflicts, poverty, various diseases and malnutrition. I agree with that it will be difficult for children to concentrate on their academics and children will be afraid to socialize with others which will result in unhealthy relationships. I am sadden me as well to the challenges that the young children are facing in all of the eight regions. Thanks for sharing.
LaCasa
Hi Latasha,
ReplyDeleteI chose West and Central Africa as well. I was devastated to learn that many of the children don't make it to their fifth birthday. I can only imagine the hurt they feel. I found myself wondering was their anything their parents could do to protect them. Thanks for sharing.
Good post. I also chose this region of the world. I hate that children are not safe in school. It is very saddening. Children should enjoy going to school to learn and play with their friends. Instead, they face harsh things. My heart dropped when I read about many of them not even making it to their fifth birthday due to the challenges they face. I hope change comes for them sooner than later.
ReplyDelete