As an adult, I cannot seem to remember the exact stressors that I faced as a child. I remember being carefree and worrying about what others though about it, but none of the big concerns that children face today. But I see so many children, even in my small community, that have to overcome being hungry in school. So many of the students in our school district are children of migrant workers, farmers, or those who do not speak English. Their families travel for work and food, not knowing how much will come into the house each night. A hungry child is unable to concentrate on school work if he/she is always thinking about when they are going to get to eat next. Our school district has tried to help out these families as much as they can, on top of the state and government programs out there. But for our students, we have a program that provides the students with food for the weekends when they are unable to get the free meals from the school for breakfasts and lunches. But I have seen children who do not have enough food at home eat their snacks so quickly and ask for me, because they are afraid they won't get anymore. So even with some food in their bellies, they still obsess over their next meal.
Here are some astounding facts on hunger in America: (Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/hunger_at_home/hunger-home-american-children-malnourished/story?id=14367230&page=2 )
- "In 314 counties around the country, one third of the children in the county are living in food-insecure households."
-"Nineteen counties are home to more than 100,000 children living in food-insecure households. And three of those counties have more than 300,000 food-insecure children."
- "Steele County, N.D., has the lowest number of children at risk of hunger, at 7 percent. "
There are many programs out there to help fight hunger not only in America, but around the world. Some are "Feed the Children", "Feeding America", "Share our Strength", "World Vision", and UNICEF, and they are just a few of many.
As a group, my Sunday School Class sponsors a child through World Vision, an organization that is trying to help world hunger. So, I thought Africa would be a great place to look into for this part of the assignment. Africa is plaqued by poverty, hunger, chaos (at times), and disease. The children begin to help parents farm at a young age, many of them hungry while working. The medical knowledge and moneys for vaccinations are lacking in this part of the world. Clean drinking water is also a problem. So many stressors for these children to have to deal with at a young age. Unfortunately, not all of the children have access to schools, either.
Many of the programs, like World Vision, are trying to combat these stressers for the children of the world. Sponsors donate money to help take care of a child or they may donate an animal to a village to help many. UNICEF is another organization that is trying to help the poverty and hunger problems around the world. If more of us who have an abundance of resources available could donate to one of these causes, it would greatly help reduce the hunger of the world.
Sarah,I am a child of a migrant family. Every summer we would migrate to other states to pick crops. Mainly Minessota, South Dakota, and other parts of Texas away from our hometown El Paso TX. Although I never remember being hungry, I do remember craving for snacks or other kind of foods at the grocery store. I remember there was a program called the Migrant Council and they would offer us food vouchers to buy cheese, milk, etc,. Kind of like the WIC (Women,Infant, Children Program).I think the program you mention about bringing meals to the families in the weekend is awesome.I come from the Social work field and I think my childhood experiences instilled in me that urge to help others. The statistics that you shared are astounding. Yes, I agree wwe need to take care of the hunger problem. I think that by taking the approach to educate parents we are already empowering them to make a difference.Although I work with children, I always try to talk to the parents and motivate them to break the poverty chain. This may sometimes mean just getting a minimumwage job or getting their GED but it is a start. Thank you for the information you provided.
ReplyDelete-Dina Corral.
Many people do not realize how big hunger is in the US. Most Americans look at other countries and consider the hunger but do not realize that someone next door to them may be just as hungry. Many times school meals are the only meals a child may receive. During the summer months there is a free lunch program that is offered in the communities of NYC. This meal is important to children because again this maybe the only chance of receiving a nutritious meal. Food banks and churches also help but can not completely solve the problem. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights on hunger it is important.
ReplyDeleteSara, I plan on having my class this year sponsor a child through World Vision or UNICEF this year. However, every time I see a commercial for a child in a third world country it makes me feel blessed to know that I live in the country I do, and I want the children in my class to realize that they are blessed more too. Thank you so much for your post.
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteIt is mind boggling to think that hunger can exist in a developed country like America when we have so much. I agree with you that until a child's basic needs are met, his academic and social needs cannot be met. There is absolutely no excuse what so ever for hunger to be a crisis in the world. I am very saddened by the fact that so many children have an inadequate food supply. I really feel that those who have the means to help eradicate hunger in the world, yet sit back and do nothing will have a lot to answer for.
We see hunger as a stressor as well in our program. We practice healthy choices, but we also allow our children to receive the nutritional support they desire. We realize that some children in our program may only receive a meal when they are at school. On Fridays, we send home backpacks filled with food for the families who may need it during the time that school is not in session.
ReplyDelete