Poverty
Poverty is the greatest problem facing humanity. Poverty has been defined as being "a punishment for a crime you didn't commit." Millions of children around the world are being punished every day - and their only "crime" was being born into poverty. While most children cry to buy toys or their favourite junk food, disadvantaged children beg to live. Their only concern is surviving each day as it comes.
According to UNICEF, over 650 million children worldwide live in extreme poverty, and those numbers are on the rise. Poverty results in lack of access to basic education, adequate healthcare and a standard life. These three fundamental needs affect the rest of children's lives, define what kind of jobs they end up with, whether they'll be strong enough or have sufficient access to healthcare to fight off even the most common illnesses, and how they develop physically and mentally.
It is appalling and really hangs heavy on our hearts. It is unimaginable that such horrific treatment be imposed on innocent children. Child poverty is unacceptable, it's destructive, and it's an issue that should concern every single citizen. But most importantly, it can be changed. Choose to make a difference! Spread the word around your local community. Educate a child or sponsor a child's education. With compassion, care and a practical approach that tackles the root causes, child poverty can be consigned to the history books and no longer be a spectre that haunts the modern age.
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