For the alternative assignment, I listened to the World Forum Foundation Radio podcast. It featured Susan Lyons who founded the Innovative Teacher Project. Teachers get together and present the approach their school is using to work with children. After each teacher has presented, they have a round table to discuss ideas, comment on what was shared, and learn from each other.
The Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre's website was very informative. I looked at the findings of poverty in India. The researchers attribute the poverty in this country to drought and a deteriorating environment. Over 80% of households in India are in debt as a result. Programs are not able to meet these families' needs because of low funding, low accountability to supervisors, and variable quality of programs (2013).
Through this week's research, I have been made aware of the magnitude of poverty in the world. Many organizations are working to alleviate this issue but are facing reduced funding. I believe a severe re-organization of how money is spent in this country could help. Policy makers need to visit areas where poverty is evident, talk to the families, and then make decisions. It frustrates me to know that even though I make very little as an early childhood educator, I still have more than many people in this world. There is no equality in this country. Few people who have wealth care to spend it on those who don't.
Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI also listened to her podcast. I thought she had a lot of passion for children. Listening to the different radio podcasts really motivated my thinking of helping people who are less fortunate.
Chere'e