Getting to Know Your International Contacts

While I have still struggled to make contacts with any individuals in another country. I was able to do some research on UNICEF's page with regards to child poverty and found some interesting facts. I researched and explored the information regarding Jamaica. I have friends who are from Jamaica and they have told me of their childhood or experiences there that are no where close to the ones who have come to understand about this beautiful traveling destination. As they call it, it ain't "visitor Jamaica", it is more like the "Stabbing Jamaica." This too is a famous line from a movie starring Chris Rock. Anyway, as I did more research I have come to find that

1. There are policies in place to end child poverty in Jamaica. So as I never thought my friends to be liars, there are children in Jamaica suffering and in poverty.

2. The International guidelines and commitments include to eliminate the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage or compulsory labor, child prostitution, the use of children to traffic drugs, and other activities that is harmful to children development. (while I know that this type of things happen, it kills me to know that there are people out there who use children as a means for any of this to happen. They are children who do not deserve to endure such a thing or live a life like this. I know it may sound ignorant like it doesn't happen, but I want the best for ALL children).

AND

3. UNICEF is very concerned with the poverty with Jamaica and does what it can to provide education and resources to the country to combat child poverty ( I am glad there are programs like UNICEF to help with children, they need an advocate, worldwide).


Poverty with Children from Jamaica exist because of health issues. Children are exposed to diseases and HIV/AIDS, low education, and deprivation.

Information for Jamaica can be found on

https://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/files/Jamaica_Child_Poverty_and_Disparity.pdf

Sharing Web Resources

As I dig deeper into the early childhood field, I find myself needing to stay current with trends, issues, and policies that affect my world. In order to do that I have decided to reach out to some resources on the web that are available to me. The first is an organization I have been acquainted with from work and through my studies. It is www.zerotothree.org. Their mission is       

Our Mission and Vision

Our mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. At ZERO TO THREE, we envision a society that has the knowledge and will to support all infants and toddlers in reaching their full potential.

They supply resources to support a child's growth and development to include, the teacher and their families.

As I was exploring the website. Something that caught my eye was their attention and support to the military community.
Military Family Projects          

ZERO TO THREE is proud to support military families. We work to increase awareness and collaboration throughout the military community so that parents and professionals can more effectively care for very young children and their families

ZERO TO THREE conducts many projects that support the health and development of infants, toddlers and their families. Through these, we bring the expertise and knowledge of our organization–and field–to bear on very young children. Our work ranges from supporting very young children in military families with a deployed parent to promoting early literacy skills and operating the Early Head Start National Resource Center. Explore the breadth of these initiatives and more by reading about each in greater detail. 
 
I am a military brat as well as military spouse. This community is unique and I am intrigued to get to know more how they support and work in my community. There I have the opportunity to learn more about things that affect a military child like stress and trauma as well as ways to support them.

I then wanted to explore an organization that caters to international affairs. I have decided to subscribe to receive newsletters from the Global Fund for Children at http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/.    

Their Mission and Vision is

 

Our Vision
At The Global Fund for Children, we envision a world where all children grow up to be productive, caring citizens of a global society.

 

Our Mission
We work to advance the dignity of children worldwide. We pursue this mission by making small grants to innovative community-based organizations working with many of the world’s most vulnerable children and youth.


I have asked both websites to send me newsletters and I will check their blogs on a regular basis to stay informed and current with what they are working on.

Expanding Horizons and Expanding Resources

The Global Fund for Children

Going through the website I have found they are and organization that attempts to transform the lives of children. Through investors they supply money in the amounts of $5,000-$30,000 over a 3-7 year time period. Through funds from their partners, their goal is to improve the lives of children, and  their community as a whole.

I have gone through the website and broaden my understanding of what they do. I have also seen how they impact children's lives. I reviewed their blog and will track it weekly if not daily so continue my understanding of their organization.

The GFC offers ways to get involved. I am looking further in to that. As a professional in Early Childhood I have learned that I must also now be an advocate for children. I feel I can learn a lot from this website about being an advocate.

I have subscribe to receive newsletter, and am working on subscribing to their blog as well.

Website: The Global Fund for Children: An organization which provides capital to communities worldwide to improve the lives of children.
http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/


I do feel that it is important to try and contact an ECE professional in another country. I have not been successful yet, but will continue to try. I know of friends that now work in other countries. They are American but work abroad. I will be in contact with them shortly and will see what their perspective is in those countries.