Empowering Children
Many of the world's children face life-threatening challenges, including war, the aftermath of earthquakes and other natural disasters, the acquisition of clean water and food, and human trafficking, to name a few. Learning about these issues is difficult for adults and often results in feelings of helplessness and inadequacy, so one could only imagine how difficult, even frightening, it could be for children to confront these issues.
I think most of us would also agree that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the feeling of empowerment—that they can make a difference in their world. A new book recently published by David J. Smith, an international educational consultant and best selling author of If the World Were a Village, among others, has done exactly that.
Smith shares with young readers the dramatic facts about the challenges that children face throughout the world in a new book, entitled This Child, Every Child: A Book About the World's Children. This book is part of his collection that explains complex issues and inspires children to become better global citizens. His collection addresses problems that children face in the U.S. and throughout the world while trying to obtain adequate food, clean water, education, and more. The books offer factual anecdotes that can become a catalyst for at-home and school discussions. For example, 250 million children in the world do not have birth certificates and can easily disappear even in the US.
Children learn about the United Nations Convention regarding children’s rights, biodiversity, social justice, microfinance, global community, and water conservation. Readings and discussions can empower children to take action, make changes in the world and, ultimately, become better global and responsible citizens. Education is the prelude to empowerment, and David J. Smith’s collection is a great stepping stone toward that goal.
“A portion of the proceeds from This Child, Every Child will support education programs at ONEXONE, a nonprofit that addresses children's fundamental needs. This joint initiative will help supply free books to children in Haiti. ONEXONE Ambassador Matt Damon is among those who support the organization.” (PR Newswire)
February 22, 2011
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