Poverty and Livelihoods | War Child
We reproduce below three postings from the UK charity War Child this posting introduces their work in Irak. War Child’s donation page is here their online shop is here.
The latest war in Iraq has hit children hard. Access to healthcare, education and food has been severely restricted and the accompanying poverty has driven many children onto the streets and into dangerous and demeaning forms of work.
Some children make a living collecting and selling garbage, shell casings and even land mines. Others are involved in selling drugs, pornography, alcohol and guns.There has also been a huge increase in the number of children involved in sex work. Some children have told us that their own family members forced them into prostitution.
War Child works closely with children in south Iraq to identify the problems and risks they face and the reasons behind them. The greatest threat to these children is the poverty surrounding them. Their families are unable to make money so their children have to support them.
Our livelihoods programme offers training and grants to families so that they can make a living safely, legally and sustainably. The money they make can pay for food, medicine and school fees. Our small, practical initiatives have included the purchase of agricultural tools, fishing equipment and livestock that have allowed families to sell produce at the market. One recipient of training has set herself up as a hairdresser.
The larger scale livelihoods projects we have supported have helped whole communities increase their income and improve productivity. A palm tree disease prevention scheme increased the sale of dates, and the establishment of community-run cement factories has provided work for many families and allowed especially those who have been displaced displaced to rebuild their homes. Because of this children hae been fed, clothed, provided with medicine and a roof over their heads.
Children themselves have received training that will allow them to stop the dangerous work they undertake on the streets. Through drop-in centres for street children we have taught skills like carpentry and tailoring that will ensure a safer, more secure future for them.
Poverty and Livelihoods | War Child
Indexed under: Poverty, Women and Children