yes, this blog is for my poetry. however, i came across some disturbing stats today. i feel like i must post them. i will most likely write a poem that will be inspired by them to build awareness. [the photo to the right is of a sweet girl that went to a daycare i worked at and a beautiful girl named sheema that lived at the orphange in fundong. every child of every nation; we are one]
Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for 5 percent of global income. The richest 20 percent accounts for three-quarters of world income.
According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.”
Around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted. The two regions that account for the bulk of the deficit are South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen.
Number of children in the world
2.2 billion
Number in poverty
1 billion (every second child)
For the 1.9 billion children from the developing world, there are:
· 640 million without adequate shelter (1 in 3)
· 400 million with no access to safe water (1 in 5)
· 270 million with no access to health services (1 in 7)
Children out of education worldwide
121 million [this is why i want to teach in impoverished areas]
Consider the global priorities in spending in 1998
Global Priority:
$U.S. Billions
Cosmetics in the United States
8
Ice cream in Europe
11
Perfumes in Europe and the United States
12
Pet foods in Europe and the United States
17
Business entertainment in Japan
35
Cigarettes in Europe
50
Alcoholic drinks in Europe
105
Narcotics drugs in the world
400
Military spending in the world
780
And compare that to what was estimated as additional costs to achieve universal access to basic social services in all developing countries-
Global Priority:
$U.S. Billions
Basic education for all
6
Water and sanitation for all
9
Reproductive health for all women
12
Basic health and nutrition
13
