Getting to Know Your International Contacts

 

 

This week's Blog assignment we were asked to introduce our international contacts that we have been in connection with the during the past three weeks.  Unfortunately, I was not able to get a hold of anyone that I sent three email correspondence to.  I also went on to the next step in which we could listen to podcasts and try and connect with a contact as well. Again, I was unsuccessful in my attempt to make another contact. So, in my next attempt we could navigate the UNICEF website and read about childhood poverty in one country and share at least three insights or ideas that I have gained from studying the website. UNICEF was the international organization that I initially reached out to when looking to find out about several other countries. I am actually a bit disappointed that I could not make a connection with the organization during the past several weeks.
 

However, Lagos, Nigeria is one of the countries I chose to read about in regards to poverty. This is one of the countries that I was hoping to actually hear back from an early childhood educator/professional.  This would have been a great net-work in receiving feedback and first-hand knowledge.  Insights that I would like to share is the fact that Lagos is considered an urban city, which has about 10.2 billion living and dwelling in the city. Surprisingly the city is built on and around swamp areas.  It is said that 49 percent of the population are children under the age of eighteen years of age that live and dwell in poverty. Many of the children are homeless and are left to fend for themselves.  As a result,  many young boys are recruited on the streets and trained as pickpocketers.

Another insight gained concerning Lagos, Nigeria is that there is a high influx of human trafficking and exploitation of children. Many young children are exploited and sold on the streets. In an attempt to end human trafficking, Nigerian lawmakers and officials have attempted to take a stand against the slave trade. Back in 2005, 52 children were apprehended at the border. As a result, many lives were saved from a life of slave trade and labor. . Human trafficking is not uncommon and happens everyday in many countries and within our own back door. This is a crime against children that lawmakers need to address and put an end too. 

The third insight gained, the country of Nigeria has experienced an epidemic of the polio virus. Many children have died as a result of the widespread issue. As a humanitarian effort, UNICEF has partnered with others to help put an end to the epidemic.  Groups were formed that consisted of caregivers, vaccinators, traditional and religious leaders- to systematically engage in advocacy and programming to reach out to children. The group traveled great distance to reach every child/children, by foot, motorbikes, car and boat to reach every child so that they would be vaccinated.  As a result of UNICEF's commitment, they have successfully developed a strategy that has nearly eradicated the polio virus (UNICEF, 2011). 

In review of the country of Nigeria, it is evident that many unfair issues and trends are existent against children. Organizations such as UNICEF and its partners have come together to help fight against the unfair treatment and practices against children. 

Reference:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycounty/Nigeria