I
chose to look at the Caribbean because I love to vacation in the
Caribbean. We have taken a few cruises
in the Caribbean and I have visited some of the islands in this area of the
world. After visiting these islands I
have always been interested in learning more about the children on these islands. One island I looked closer at was
Dominica. My husband and I took a tour
on this island about five years ago.
When we arrived on the shores of the island it was very beautiful with
all different types of colors on the buildings.
We had a wonderful time on this island but saw from the beginning that
it was definitely less industrialized then other islands and we wondered about
the economy on the island.
“UNICEF
is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive
and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence” (UNICEF, 2011). When I looked at the UNICEF website I found a story
about a seventeen year old boy, Remoff, who at a young age lived with a variety
of different people while his parents worked at jobs on other islands. He was headed down the wrong path until he
finally got help and started attending Social Centre. Social Centre is a school funded by UNICEF
with a location on the Dominica. Since
Remoff did not have a strong support system at home he did not have the
emotional or financial support to stay in school. UNICEF has given him the opportunity to work
on his high school education and hopefully move on to college. Many children do not have access to daycare
or preschool in the Dominica. This lack
of educational opportunity can have a negative effect on children’s emotional
wellbeing and development. A nineteen-year-old
named Christian is working with the Roving Caregivers Programme to help support
and train parents to provide a better life for their children (UNICEF, 2011). This was a great
opportunity for children and families to see the importance of male figures
helping in the development of children.
Another
island I looked closer at was Jamaica. I
was saddened to read about how prevalent sexual abuse against children is in
the Caribbean. In this region sexual
abuse against children is greatly underreported and victims are made to feel a
great deal of shame. “A study in Jamaica
indicated that men often believe they have a right to engage in sex with girls
under their care, while children in Guyana reported believing that sexual
violence can be blamed on a victim’s clothing” (UNICEF,
2011). Any type of sexual abuse would have a
devastating effect on a child’s emotional wellbeing and development.
As
I was reviewing this website I found it very upsetting to read about all the
challenges children face but I also found it inspiring to know that there is an
agency working to help these children.
It also reminded me that children right here in America face some of these
same challenges and devastating situations.
I was reminded of the importance of really knowing the children in my
classroom and being a strong resource for them and their families.
Reference
UNICEF (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/
Dear Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI discovered this week in the East Asia and Pacific Region many children do not have educational opportunities just like you discovered about children in Dominica. I also realized what an important role that businesses and corporations need to play in making things better for these children and families. The families living in poverty lack many opportunities. If businesses provided daycare, higher wages, or better working conditions and hours all family members would benefit. -Mary
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI think it is interesting that an area that attracts cruise ships and tourists has the underlying realities of life that you discovered. This is really sad to think that people are going there for vacations when this is happening, but at the same time we go on living our lives here in the U.S. while these same things occur here. In my school we have a custodian who is from Guyana. He often tells us about the poverty and poor living conditions in his country. His mother and sister are still living there and he has been very concerned about them because his sister was expecting a baby and his mother has been ill. He is fearful that because the hospital facilities are so poor neither one of them will survive. I am forever amazed at how the people living in these countries go on surviving.
Hi Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI especially am grateful for the resource you included through UNICEF and the Roving Caregivers Programme. I will be researching them both in preparation for my trip to the Dominican Republic to help train preschool teachers in a small village along the Haitian border. While I am eager to learn more because I will be actively working in the region, I think it's important for us to remember as early childhood educators that immigrant children may enter our classrooms at any time carrying the scars of their homeland injustices and traumatic family experiences. Learning strategies to help them overcome their trauma, providing safe and nurturing environments and relationships, as well as instilling in them a positive self-concept and sense of family pride are key to introducing anti-bias curriculum and providing young children a place to openly discuss their thoughts, feelings and issues. I feel like one of the best strategies that I can introduce to the teachers in the Dominican Republic is the use of a persona doll to open discussions about race relations, fairness, and empathy. Do you have any specific ideas that come to mind that you feel would be beneficial to the teachers there? Any advice or suggestions of specific games or strategies would be greatly appreciated. Keep up your good work!