The challenges facing Third World children

Author: Action Aid

Children are the way of the future. Protecting their innocence
and caring and providing for their future has been a key charter
of humanitarian, charity and rights based organisations for
hundreds of years. To the Western world, however, the challenges
that face Third World children can seem out of the realm of
possibility and so often fly under the radar.

Child poverty, violence, illness and abuse are prolific, and
only a wider understanding, comprehension and action against
such injustices will help to bring about a safer, happier and
healthier childhood and future for all the world’s
children. Understanding and awareness of the problems facing the
children of the Third World is the first step to combating and
remedying the problem to end poverty. To kick-start a growing
awareness, here’s an explanation of some of the most
pressing challenges facing Third World Children:

<b>Child Poverty. </b>Over a third of all children in
developing countries (37% or 674 million) are living in absolute
poverty. This is a shocking result given that absolute poverty
refers to two or more forms of severe deprivation of basic human
needs, whether that is shelter, food, water or sanitation. Lack
of money, access to health services, education and basic food
and water needs have brought about this high level of poverty.

<b>Health and nutrition.</b> It is a tragic truth that more
than 30 million children in the world are not immunised against
treatable or preventable diseases. Measles, malaria and diarrhea
are three of the biggest killers of children &mdash; yet all are
preventable or treatable. A lack of awareness, education and
treatment has meant that there are 14 million orphans &ndash;
most of which are in Africa &ndash; as a result of the HIV/AIDS
virus. Food wastage is a common feature of the Western world,
but in the Third World, 16 000 children die daily due to hunger
related issues. Malnutrition is prolific.

<b>Lack of education. </b>Whereas education is a cornerstone of
Western society, there are 72 million children around the world
who are denied the opportunity to go to school &ndash; not
surprisingly almost all of these are from the developing world.
<b>&nbsp;</b>There is statistical evidence to support the idea
that &lsquo;education beats poverty&rsquo;, making the remedying
of this lack of education crucial for defeating poverty.&nbsp;
For example, a child who goes to school will earn an extra 10%
for every year of schooling they receive and be 50% less likely
to become infected with HIV/AIDS if they complete primary
school. Equal opportunity for education is also important, as
girls are more likely to go without schooling than boys.

<b>Child exploitation. </b>Although it might seem archaic and
barbaric, child exploitation in a number of forms is still a
feature of many Third World societies &ndash; whether it be
through child soldiers, prostitution, trafficking and slavery,
child labour or neglect. Here are some statistics. In the last
decade, more than 2 million children have died as a result of
armed conflict, it is believed that 2 million children are being
exploited through the sex trade and approximately 246 million
children work &ndash; most of those working in hazardous
conditions.&nbsp;

Now we&rsquo;re aware of the issues, what can be done to help?
The problem is big, but it&rsquo;s not insurmountable and every
bit of aid, money and support helps. <a
href="http://www.actionaid.org.au/child-sponsorship/">Child
sponsorship</a> is one such way to help address the problem.
Child sponsorship is affordable and uncomplicated, and there are
millions of undernourished and underprivileged children that
could benefit from both financial and emotional support (child
sponsorship is also a <u>tax deductable donation)</u>. By
sponsoring a child you&rsquo;re investing in their future and
helping break down and address the challenges facing children of
the Third World.

About the author:
Your generosity can help children in need. Sponsor a child to
make a difference to young children facing poverty and disease.
Find out how you can help with ActionAid.

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