Why Do The Children of Mumbai Need Our Help

Every apple is a part of the orchard.
Holly Schoenecker.

People often ask why a democratic country with a thriving economy needs help to provide education and health for its children.

On Saturday October 2, 2010 the Toronto Star newspaper devoted its entire edition to India.

The UN Development Program Gender Inequality Index has been released.

The following snippets of information have been taken from these two sources, and hopefully will give some understanding of the issues for the poor in India.

“India[the world’s largest democracy], an emerging economy, and  geopolitical giant, might overtake China economically within two decades.”

“Whatever is true of India, the exact opposite is almost always also true……Efficiency and chaos.  Secularism and sectarianism.  Wealth and poverty.  Hope and despondency.  Gandhian non-violence and murderous frenzy. Humanity and cruelty.  Exploitation and generosity.  Piety and prostitution. Dedicated indigenous NGO’s and corrupt politics.
That’s India.”

“[India]…..has the world’s largest number of poor.  About 600 million survive on less than $2 per day.  About 65 million live in slums.  About 1.75 million children die before reaching their first birthday.  Nearly 45% of children are malnourished.  About 160 million kids are not in school. ”

These figures are probably low as there is a large population that is not counted in any population records.  For example, less than 5% of our children and families have any identification and thus are not counted.

India has the largest number of poor.
“1/3 of all people in the world living without basic necessities is an Indian national.”

The population of India is 1.19 billion.
This is two times the population of the United States.(645 million)
This is 20 times the Canadian population.

India is rated #122 out of 138 countries on health issues.

India is rated #119 out of 169 countries overall in Human Development.

India is in the top 10 countries in income growth.

70% of Hindi girls marry under the age of 18.

Mumbai, India has real estate values in the top five of world cities.
Even though many residents live on less than $2 per day, some food staples are similar to those in North America.

In 2005, 2 million, 300 thousand children aged 1 to 5 years of age died.
>60% died from: pneumonia, prematurity, low birth weight, diarrhoeal diseases, neonatal infections, birth asphyxia, and birth trauma.
Each of these major causes of death could be prevented/and/or/treated.

Many girl babies are aborted, and/or receive less health services as there is still a high social preference for boys.

“India is saddled with the highest burden of tuberculosis – with nearly 2 million new cases recorded in 2009.”
[above three paragraphs from The Times of India, Mumbai, Saturday, November 13, 2010]

There are other facts and information that could be shared, but I hope you have a better idea of some of the issues facing “our families” at One! International.