Child Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

The human race has been battling poverty for ages. Poverty exists even in the wealthiest nations in the world. However, poverty is more prevalent among children living in the developing. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (n.d), 30% of children in the developing world live in poverty. However, the percentage of children living in poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa is about 83% almost three times higher than the rate of child poverty in the developing world. UNICEF also tells us “every 3.6 seconds one person dies of starvation. Usually, it is a child under the age of five” (UNICEF, n.d). While, poverty is measured differently from one country to another, in Sub-Saharan Africa poverty is measured according to the following indicators: (a) severe nutrition deprivation, (b) severe water deprivation, (c)Severe deprivation of sanitation facilities; (d) severe health deprivation, (e) severe shelter deprivation,(f) severe education deprivation, (g) severe information deprivation (Delamonica & Minujin, 2007). In this part of the world, children cannot rely on governmental aids to supplement their nutritional needs let alone shelter or sanitation. The severity and the depth of deprivation are often unimaginable for most. In addition, poverty is intrinsically linked to HIV AID, child malnutrition and stunning, pandemics among others. Children in this part of the world need food services, water sanitation, protections against diseases and safe living arrangements in order to survive. It is a daunting and yet achievable task and through the work of organizations such as UNICEF, some children in Sub-Saharan Africa are slowly seeing improvement in their living conditions. For the rest of us, awareness should impel involvement. Though, Sub-Saharan Africa may seem a long way, child poverty is closer to home than we may think. There are children in our communities who need our help and support. As educators, we can help do our part in breaking the cycle of poverty by providing our student with support, knowledge and the desire to make choices that enhance their chances of success in school and in life. For more information on child poverty in Sub-Saharan African read, consult the following references.

Works Cited

DELAMONICA, E. E., & MINUJIN, A. (2007). INCIDENCE, DEPTH AND SEVERITY OF CHILDREN IN. Social Indicators Research , 82, 361-374. doi: 10.1007/s11205-006-9039-5

UNICEF. (n.d). Eradicate extreme poverty. Retrieved from UNICEF Millennium Development Goals: http://www.unicef.org/mdg/poverty.html