Introductions of Partnerships

I am proud to introduce the two partners I chose to build a relationship with. Although they may have directed me to different websites or articles, to help with my understanding of their situation in their country, I am beyond grateful.

The first partner I would like to introduce Eric Atmore. Mr. Atmore is an associate professor in the Department of Social Development at the University of Cape Town. Mr. Atmore is one of three authors who wrote the South African Journal of Childhood Education for the University of Johannesburg.  Lastly, Mr. Atmore is part of the National Early Childhood Development Alliance  and the OMEP South African National Committee.

I have learned so much just from the first article Mr. Atmore sent me from the journal he wrote. In his journal I learned all about the challenges facing the early childhood development sector in South Africa.  One major challenge in South Africa is that the young children are being negatively impacted by a range of social and economic inequalities. These young children have inadequate access to health care, education, social services, and quality nutrition. South Africa has a section of their constitution that makes provisions for children’s rights, including the right to basic education and protection from neglect, abuse, and exploitation. However, they have a long way to go to effectively meet the needs of all children.     

The second partner I would like to introduce is Ms. Ruzanna Tsarukyan. Ms. Tsarukyan works with the Step By Step Benevolent Foundation.  She resides in Armenia, Asia. The International Step by Step Association in Armenia was initiated in 1998. This Association was opened in order to support early childhood education in the face of difficulties due to the economic crisis in their country. At the time this opened there were many Kindergarten and primary grades ready to close because of the economic crisis they faced. The children are directly faced with poverty issues, majority being social. China also has an issue with the job market. Children are impacted by poor nutrition, inadequate sanitation and exposure to abuse and neglect that often leads to unique and irreversible deficits in child development.

Reading and learning about the situations in both South Africa and China, has helped make me aware of what we have here in America that allows the children here to have a better life. I have also stepped back and am trying to be more aware of what others do for me and to not take anything for granted because there are people who are not able to have what I have. I thank god every day for my son and what I am able to give him and when the time comes, I will have a good school to send him to. Lastly, hearing and reading about these children who are struggling and who are not able to have what I have has opened my eyes to poverty issues and has made me want to take part in helping to stop/ fix the poverty issues present around me.