I yesterday told of a study that UNICEF had done about child poverty in rich countries and with a focus on European countries. There was a list of items or deprivations. If a child missed two or more of this list, it would mean he or she is poor, or poorer than it should be possible in that country. When reading this list, I could not help but think of our children back in India, the boys that live at the Ashram but even more the children who come to our school, who live in poor families nearby. UNICEF clearly made this list for already developed countries but it was interesting comparing their list with the needs of children here and what would or would not be on a list for India. I thought I share my thoughts on the single points with you in my diary, today and the next days.
1. Three meals a day
2. At least one meal a day with meat, chicken or fish (or a vegetarian equivalent)
3. Fresh fruit and vegetables every day
If we look at these first three points, I can tell you that many families in India already struggle with number one, they try their best to accomplish number two – obviously with the vegetarian option – and you can completely skip number three. Fresh fruit and vegetable is expensive. Potatoes are the cheapest and thus more often on the menu. Other ingredients only appear on the plate on special occasions or when a vegetable or fruit is in season and thus cheap.
Nevertheless, every family loves their children and they give their best. It is a fact however that our school is frequented by a lot of students whose parents were mainly interested in the warm lunch that we daily provide. With that they have one worry less, at least the bellies of their children are filled!
4. Books suitable for the child’s age and knowledge level (not including schoolbooks)
The level of education of poor parents is very different from Europe to India. There are hardly any illiterate people all over Europe while in our state for example nearly every second person whom you meet doesn’t know reading or writing! Why would they buy books for their children? Who would read to the children? They are happy if they can afford their schoolbooks – and for many families even that is too much. This is why our school provides all schoolbooks for free, including story books so that the kids can have some fun while reading at school.
5. Outdoor leisure equipment (bicycle, roller-skates, etc.)
Well, with this point we reach the aspect of ‘leisure’ and although every human person needs time to relax, enjoy life and play, the equipment for that is not a basic need. In a country where we are fighting against hunger and child labour, your own bicycle or roller-skates will not be the criteria to decide whether you are poor or not.
On a side-note, I still have to see the first person roller-skating on Indian roads – good luck!
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