She is currently working as a Nursery Teacher in the Nursery Unit in a primary school. Her classroom consists of 3 & 4 year old. At present in her class of 26, 5 children are classed as 'socially disadvantaged' and so receive free school meals, 2 are classed as 'foreign nationals' with English as a second language. In the school of 230 children 10% would be 'foreign nationals' with English as a second language & 25% are in receipt of free school meals.
I asked her about poverty in relation to her school she said that Dungannon has a high rate of unemployment and the borough is one of the most disadvantaged outside areas of Belfast. Many of the children in her school come from long term unemployed families. However because they are an integrated school we also have some children from very wealthy backgrounds.
Please click here for more information on "integrated".
She said that over the past year as the recession has set in, they are more aware of how some families are struggling with basic cost let alone adding to this with requests for money for trips etc.
My second contact is S. Sheih. She is working as a Supervisor in a day care center in Singapore. It operates from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Friday, plus an additional 7am to 2pm on Saturday.
The children who attend this day care center are from 1.5 years old to 6 years old. The school currently teaches 40+ kids.
When I asked her how poverty related to her school, she said that the children in her school are mainly from dual income families and parents are holding higher positions at work. Therefore, their students aren't coming from lower income familiy.
What does all of this mean?
Kristen, I read your reports regarding poverty in other parts of the world as compared to Indiana. My immediate community, would be called a pocket of poverty. In some schools, an 80% of the students receive free or reduced price meals. That is hard for me to fathom, but it is reality. In our churches we send missionaries to many other countries, usually poor ones. Some churches are beginning to realize that there are many, opportunities for missionaries right here in the good old USA.
ReplyDeleteKristen
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to see the differences within areas. It is the same here where I live, not having the job force that provides liveable wages makes a huge difference, creating the working poor who are so close to the edge of poverty.
Can I ask how you got the responses from your contacts, so many emails I tried to use came back as failures. I really would like to make a personal connection with someone.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteWow what an interesting contrast on poverty information. Do you know what the poverty ratio's are within the Singapore area? I personally have a couple of children in my personal daycare whose mother receives childcare assistance among other social service programs. I thing that stepping back and evaluating we can find areas were we can help in our communities. Thank you for providing the information I look forward to reading more.
Thank you,
Schlee