My luck has not been the best with the podcast or hearing
from my contacts that I have attempted to email. I chose to explore Harvard University’s “Global
Children’s Initiative” website to gain an insight about early childhood systems
around the globe.
I am familiar with the many challenges in our families here
in the U.S., but when I read the article
written by Millicent Lawton, “Studying the Effects of Global Adversity, Two Generations
at a Time”; I was frightened to see what
others are struggling with. Keeping children alive is what most countries
are struggling to accomplish and I am not ok with that. Child soldiers in Seirra Leone and children
whose parents are dealing with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda are two hardships that are
discussed in this article. Theresa Betancourt
is the person running the research on this and she is determined to having
research more orientated towards key questions and understanding the problems
that these two countries are dealing with and strategically come up with
solutions to the problems (Lawton, 2013).
I have to agree with Betancourt; we have not investigated the mental anguish
that these children and families are dealing with enough to make immediate decisions
on how assist with them.
Belonging to a group of professionals believing that we can
make a difference in society with our children makes me proud. I admire women like Theresa Betancourt who
think outside the box and want answers to questions that are not necessarily asked
rather swept under the rug. Supporting
and working side by side with professionals is a joy I have and one day want to
stand next to the people like the examples listed.
Lawton, M. (2013) “Studying the Effects of Global Adversity”
Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/
I am sharing your experience with regards to international contacts.
ReplyDeletePlease watch this video of a child soldier of Sierra Leone. Ishmael Beah briefly tells of what he went through. He is a child who has more than survived his country's civil war. Do you think that with the appropriate help and support, that children can be resilient when exposed to such violence, and having to participate in it?
http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/08/world/africa/ishmael-beah-child-soldier/
DeleteSorry, here is the link for the video.
Crissy, what is your group doing to make a different in your society? The holidays are here, are you doing a local project or something more global?
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear about people who care so much to research ways to help others. I feel many of the issues that young children face come from poverty and politics or governement issues. It just shows how important our leaders are including teachers and parents.