The Global Fund For Children (GFC), www.globalfundforchildren.org, posted their Winter/Spring 2011 E-Newsletter. In the Newsletter the new CEO, Kristin Lindsey introduces herself and two new board members. She also summarized the mission of GFC for children globally by quoting her favorite Dr. Seuss book, Oh, The Places You Will Go. From the book she quotes:
You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
The mission of GFC is to focus on children's safety, access to education, health, and their ability to thrive. With these needs attended children can go anywhere and achieve anything.
The newsletter also provided an outside link to the conference the founder, Maya Ajmera attended at Duke University's National Conference on Social Entrepreneurship Education. The conference focused on social problems facing children today and their solutions.
On the outside link at Duke University the article on the conference referenced what was discussed at the conference. Issues such as health disparities, quality education, and the importance of grass roots organizations. Michael Merson stated that the health disparities are a result of chronic disease, climate change, and inadequate health systems. He also referenced the importance of health and its relation to development.
Leela Prasad discussed the quality of education and how it continues to be a global problem in both rural and urban areas. She stated that their research shows dramatic changes in the quality of education can be seen when governments invest in schools, when this investment is reduced or taken away education quality declines. This demonstrates the importance of government funding and investment into education.
The area of the website that I researched further was the Our Work section. This section focuses on the news in Children's Issues. There is an article on former child soldiers who even after a demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process remain living in poverty. Another article discusses the Democratic Republic of Congo stepping up its immunizations for pneumonia which is its leading cause of death in children under five. The last article discussed how child advocates continue to fight in the Philippines for justice for young children who are targeted by the militia.
One important insight I have gained from this website is the importance of grass root organizations. These entrepreneurs who start up organizations and programs in their communities provide services for health, safety, and education for children who are often sometimes invisible, lost, or forgotten.
You have brains in your head
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
The mission of GFC is to focus on children's safety, access to education, health, and their ability to thrive. With these needs attended children can go anywhere and achieve anything.
The newsletter also provided an outside link to the conference the founder, Maya Ajmera attended at Duke University's National Conference on Social Entrepreneurship Education. The conference focused on social problems facing children today and their solutions.
On the outside link at Duke University the article on the conference referenced what was discussed at the conference. Issues such as health disparities, quality education, and the importance of grass roots organizations. Michael Merson stated that the health disparities are a result of chronic disease, climate change, and inadequate health systems. He also referenced the importance of health and its relation to development.
Leela Prasad discussed the quality of education and how it continues to be a global problem in both rural and urban areas. She stated that their research shows dramatic changes in the quality of education can be seen when governments invest in schools, when this investment is reduced or taken away education quality declines. This demonstrates the importance of government funding and investment into education.
The area of the website that I researched further was the Our Work section. This section focuses on the news in Children's Issues. There is an article on former child soldiers who even after a demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration process remain living in poverty. Another article discusses the Democratic Republic of Congo stepping up its immunizations for pneumonia which is its leading cause of death in children under five. The last article discussed how child advocates continue to fight in the Philippines for justice for young children who are targeted by the militia.
One important insight I have gained from this website is the importance of grass root organizations. These entrepreneurs who start up organizations and programs in their communities provide services for health, safety, and education for children who are often sometimes invisible, lost, or forgotten.
I love the quote from Dr. Suess's book. It is definitely a true phrase. Children can become anyone or anything they choose to pursue in life as long as they are given the opportunities to do so. The more federal and state policies address and invest in early childhood programs to ensure the health, safety, and education for all children are met, the better chances these children have to a successful future.
ReplyDeleteToni.. it seems like this week everyone is quoting Dr. Suess. I love this quote also. It seems like you learned a lot from your website search and I thought your insight on grassroot organizations was awesome. We do not have many where I live and I often think how could I begin one that would help the children in our area?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Toni! The article you mentioned about child soldiers being reintergrated into the community yet remaining in poverty, basically living a yet deprived life was sad. Researching early childhood internationly has really opened my eyes to what is going on in this world. Thanks for the post.
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