Poverty in Kyrgyzstan

After two weeks of attempting to make contact with EC professionals outside of the U.S. with no responses, I have redirected to the alternate assignment.  In my search for information about poverty in a certain country, I came across some startling facts and figures that where heartbreaking.



In Kyrgyzstan, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1991, the majority of the population, nearly 60%, make their living from agriculture. After they declared their independence and broke free from the Soviet Union, the percentage of people living in poverty rose to over 60%. By 2001, 47% of the population lived below the government poverty line, with 13% living in extreme poverty.(Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre, 2011)  Unfortunately, poverty brings along with it a decline in school enrollment. More children are working instead of attending school in attempts to make money. It is estimated that nearly 24% of children work full or part-time jobs. (Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre, 2011)

Due to the increase in poverty over the past decade, organizations are working hard to reduce poverty in Kyrgyzstan. The government has created both a 15 year plan and a 3 year plan to reduce poverty.  These plans include promoting economic growth and creating a fair society.

After studying the information about poverty in Kyrgyzstan, I have been awakened to actual amount of poverty there is in this world. Before, I could just turn a blind eye and think that things really weren't so bad because I did not see them where I live.  However, after learning more about poverty and it's massive stronghold around the world, I have realized that this is a major problem that is continuing to grow.

Growing up in a middle class household, I got a job when I turned 15, lifeguarding. I worked because my Dad said I needed to learn responsibility, and because it gave me money to go to the mall with my friends. I could not imagine quitting school to work full time, at an age even younger then 15, to try and put food on the table or provide the basic necessities for survival. These children are courageous and strong, taking on a task that many adults in our own country cannot seem to handle, while sacrificing their education.



It is heartbreaking to see that enrollment in schools is dropping, because the only hope to come out of poverty is education.  With more children dropping out of school, poverty continues to grow.  When these uneducated children grow up to be adults and parents who are still living in poverty, the cycle continues and grows with each generation.

The situation is Kyrgyzstan is becoming one of the norm rather than the exception.  Working together with organizations such as UNICEF and The Children's Defense Fund, we can make a difference, even if it is just a little bit at a time. If we lose hope for the people suffering from poverty, then they have lost hope for themselves.  Become informed and do your part to help our neighbors around the world.  Together we can make things happen!



Resources:
Childhood Poverty Research and Policy Centre, 2011 www.childpoverty.org