As mentioned in the blog at the start of the month (HERE) poverty is very high on the list of reasons why children end up being separated from their parents, and in many cases institutionalised. This is something that can be tackled relatively simply.
When I talk about poverty relief, I am not talking about pie-in-the-sky wishes like an end to hunger globally (and let’s throw in world peace for good measure). Of course I would like to see that, but let’s go one step at a time. In this blog I want to mention a series of practical measures that are already being implemented in many places, including in some low-income countries. Measures that have been shown to be very effective, as well as very cost-effective.
A very important start is free or heavily subsidised and universally accessible healthcare. The impact of this is very big. When a pregnant woman is not afraid of the cost, she is more likely to get checked up during her pregnancy and get help if there is any problem. She is more likely to give birth to her child under guidance of a trained professional who is able to make a difference if anything goes wrong. This alone reduces the chance of the mother and child dying, as well as reducing the chance of permanent disability of mother and/or baby.
If the cost is not prohibitive, children are more likely to be vaccinated against diseases that kill many. Children are more likely to be taken to the doctor when they are ill, giving them a better chance of recovery and of preventing disability. Plus, some children are literally placed in institutions in the city in the hope that they will get healthcare in case they should need it, in countries where rural areas may not have any clinics or doctors within a day or two of travel.
Another important point is food. In some countries, children under the age of 5, whose parents are below a certain income level, are provided with food rations. And in many countries, children – sometimes means tested, sometimes not – receive one nutritious hot meal a day in school. These simple and relatively cheap measures have a great impact. Both by boosting the health of the children and by keeping parents from feeling that their children might be better off in an institution because at least they would be getting food there.
Free or very cheap day-care is also a form of poverty relief. It provides an option other than either leaving the children home unsupervised or putting them in an institution to mothers who need to work to be able to keep the family alive. And if the children are then provided with a meal at day-care as well, that is an extra bonus.
These are the most basic options, and ones that people who are trying to find worthwhile causes to donate to or projects to set up can get involved in. Instead of sponsoring or setting up a childcare institution, set up a free health clinic in a remote area. Set up a free day-care centre, instead of a residential facility. Or donate food to give to all the pupils at a school.
Then there are other ways to make a difference that should come from the side of the government. Providing people who live in extreme poverty with a small allowance or with opportunities for income-generation have been found to be very cost-effective and impactful. As has providing parents or extended family-members with child benefits, even if they are modest.
It is odd that in the face of so much proof, there are still people who seem to doubt that spending money on getting people out of the worst kind of poverty is a worthwhile investment. One that again and again has shown to benefit the national economy, and therefore the financial status of everyone in the country.
Not to mention the fact that parents who are not crippled by poverty are much less likely to send their child to an ‘orphanage’ in an attempt to save her life.
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