In Africa, growing up as a child is a challenge. On a continent plagued by endemic poverty, crumbling infrastructure and education and healthcare systems in advanced stages of deterioration, there is a total lack of development. On this continent, children come across many obstacles that constitute hindrances to their normal development. Each day, that sees the sun rise, is a battle these disadvantaged children have to fight in order to survive. In this environment hopes are dashed, and futures are broken because crucial needs such as education are beyond the reach of these children. Lives are lost or destroyed because healthcare as cheap as a dollar or less is a luxury they do not have the means to afford.
Preventable diseases and intestinal worm infestations are rampant because of lack of a vital commodity such as potable water. They are the first victims of a broken and dysfunctional system. In a nutshell, many African children are marginalized when it comes to having a normal and healthy childhood.
Each year in Africa, more than a million children die from malaria, dysentery, cholera and many intestinal worm infestation and water-borne diseases due to the lack of clean water.
Of all the challenges that Africans face, healthcare is a daunting one. Children are the worst affected by this crisis as millions of them die each year from preventable diseases.
Cultivating the mind of a child is more important than anything one thing one can do to prepare him or her for a successful professional life. Education is just the beginning.
Global Partners for Africa Development (Global PAD) is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization working with communities and institutions in North America, Europe and Africa.