The area of the world I chose was Haiti. I chose this area because since the 2010 earthquake the United States has being a very strong supporter of this country. In addition, during that time Haiti was covered on news very often I recalled being quite disturbed by the images I saw of families and children and they attempted to recover from that devastation. It took back to Hurricane Katrina but much more in-depth. Living in the Mississippi area I was not directly affected by Hurricane Katrina in the manner of having to regroup and find shelter but it did affect the whole world indirectly. As a result of that I related devastation of the earthquake in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina and their effect on the world as similar.
Many children in Haiti began life with great challenges like the lack of love, care, nurturing, health and safety that they need to survive and grow because their caregiver lack the basic surrounding to sustain this. Poverty prevents caregiver from providing the minimal basic need for children. In most cases their environment does not provide enough resources to support their needs with regards to health care, nutrition and learning. The children and their families are left to live in inadequate housing and shelter.
Unfortunately as a result of this many of these challenges place barriers on children before they can develop. Children that are provided with the essential needs of life in the early stages develop healthy. Children that do not will be susceptible diseases and illness that compromise their development in their thinking language emotional and social skills.
As I learn more of the living conditions in Haiti as an early childhood professional my heart really aches for the children and their families living in these conditions. However if I encounter children within my environment facing these types of challenges I am committed to assisting with as many resources that I can find to support the family unit and the children. Knowing that this is a critical period in children’s lives for growth and development not only educationally but for life this insight has really made me further want to explore additional sources to support and nurture families. Hurricane Katrina did not leave the United States in this turmoil. It was event that even today we are still struggling to overcome. The children and families in Haiti live this every day and for traumatic event to come forward only sets them back even more. Considering all of this I want to find ways to help the children in Haiti I had no real idea of their conditions and at the same time I am really committed to giving children a chance despite their challenges and circumstance. If they are able to overcome these struggle and make it into an early childhood community they deserve that much.
Reference
UNICEF(2012).Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html
Kvonya,
ReplyDeleteSo interesting that you chose Haiti. I agree I wish I knew where to help/where you even start. Did you look up any information regarding their early childhood programs/ if they exists?
Abby
Hi Kvonya,
ReplyDeleteI think that it is sad that the families have to wonder sometimes where their next meal will come from. The health conditions are very poor and causes lots of sickness and sometimes death among the children. Poverty plays a critical role in the development of children because of the lack of basic resources these children face daily challenges of survival as well as the challenge of getting an education.
Kvonya,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the informative post, you did a great job of telling us about how things are in Haiti. I had first hand experience with haitian children as my first teaching job many years ago was in a Haitian Community in Orlando, Florida. It always amazed me how grateful the children and the families were to have a square meal. Did you get a chance to look up the Early Childhood Programs that supply food to Haitians? That may be a quality resource for the families of young children. Thanks! Trish
In a lot of ways, a natural disaster, such as this earthquake, can have a positive impact on the people of the area. This earthquake brought worldwide attention to the people of Haiti. This caused relief action and the circumstances, for some, have improved. There really is a positive side to everything.
ReplyDelete