How Many Children Are in Poverty?
It is harder to answer the question “how many children are in poverty” than you might think. For example, UNICEF estimates that 356 million children live in extreme poverty while over 1 billion children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they lack necessities like nutrition or clean water.[1] According to the World Bank, 1 in 6 children live in extreme poverty.[2]
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for two-thirds of children in poverty. A fifth of these children live in South Asia.[3] This is why GFA World is working diligently in South Asia and now parts of Africa. We have a proven track record of working with children and their families, helping them break free from the cycle of poverty that may have been happening for generations.
GFA World helps children in poverty in a variety of ways. First, we have a child sponsorship program that has been an effective solution for many years. Children are helped with key needs such as nutritious food, tuition assistance, tutoring, clean water, hygiene supplies and so on. Financial pressure is relieved from parents when they receive this key assistance.
Through income-generating gifts, GFA World helps struggling families. For example, when a family is gifted with chickens, the eggs or offspring can be sold at the market. If a family is given goats, the milk can be sold to neighbors. Or consider the precious gift of a sewing machine and a tailoring class for a woman who needs a job. These valuable gifts give the family a way to make additional income which allows for the children to stay in school.
This tangible help enables people to see that God cares for them and often opens the door for a GFA missionary to be able to share hope in Christ.
Consider donating to these proven strategies, child sponsorship and income generating gifts, in South Asia and Africa—two areas in severe need. Together we can help many more children in poverty.
Learn more about child poverty[1] “Child Poverty.” UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/social-policy/child-poverty. Accessed November 22, 2022.
[2] “1 in 6 children lives in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF analysis shows.” The World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/10/20/1-in-6-children-lives-in-extreme-poverty-world-bank-unicef-analysis-shows. October 20, 2020.
[3] “1 in 6 children lives in extreme poverty, World Bank-UNICEF analysis shows.” The World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/10/20/1-in-6-children-lives-in-extreme-poverty-world-bank-unicef-analysis-shows. October 20, 2020.