Children in need

In my home town, of Minot, North Dakota we had a natural disaster occur in June 2011. We had a major flood come through our town and out of 40,000 people, about 12,000 people were displaced from their homes. There were about 4,000 homes flooded completely, but many more were affected, because of ground water. The flood came through the middle of town and basically divided us between the North side of town and the South side. There was no hospital or grocery store on the North side of town so they had to be set up. There was one road that you could take to get to the “other” side of town and it would take you three hours to get there. 

My house wasn’t taken by the flood but, I had to move into my parents house, because it would take me three hours to get to my summer job, and then three hours to get home. My sister and her kids also had to move into my parents house. At one time my parents house had 16 people living there. Some where in campers in the backyard others where in the house. My aunt and her family lost their home do to the flood and lived with my parents for a year and half. My nephew kept asking “why is all the water here?...is it going to take my house too?” My niece who was 4 at the time had nightmares that the water was going to get her. I have kids in class that still talk about, when all the water came. 

Whether a house was taken or you had a displaced family living with you. You were impacted by the flood. restaurants shut down because they couldn’t use the water, and if they did, it had to be boiled first. Children remember that it happened and, for some of them it still is affecting them. Two schools were completely lost to the flood, so those students had to have school in our hometown auditorium and a local church. While others schools were bursting at the seems, because families moved. When something like this happens everyone has to learn how to adjust, but it is the hardest on children, who’s lives have totally changed or those who really have no idea what happened, but they know something is making mommy and daddy sad. Houses are still being built and, and some are being torn down. It made out community stronger, but we are still trying to rebuild. 

I researched Fiji, because I would like to go there and volunteer for a summer. Fiji has a lot of hardships like many countries, even though you wouldn’t think it, because it is a popular is tourist destination. However there is “Both absolute and relative poverty exist in Fiji” (http://www.nourishfijichildren.com). There are houses that don’t have access to basic needs, like water, food, proper shelter, or a proper eduction if any education. “While aid agencies largely concentrate upon development-focused approaches to poverty alleviation, the immediate needs of children such as nutrition and access to education remain unattended” (http://www.nourishfijichildren.com). Children in Fiji are malnourished, living in poverty. There are agencies that help children in situations like these, but there are not enough resources to help all the children. “It is obvious that nutrition is a critical factor affecting children and nutritional feeding programs are needed to improve the situation of thousands of children living in poverty conditions” (http://www.nourishfijichildren.com).

Resources:

 Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Nourish Fiji Children Project...Together we are a Force For Good in Fiji . Retrieved from http://www.nourishfijichildren.com on Sept. 27th, 2013.

A public health measure

I chose breastfeeding as my public health measure. This was topic was of interest to me, because I have a had a breast reduction, and my doctor doesn't recommend it. I am sure if I took supplements and did more research I would be able to find a way, and only if it would be healthy. There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, and it is so much better for a child.
In other developing countries, there is often a lack of fresh water, sterilization, or accessibility. "In Africa, more than 95% of infants are currently breastfed, but feeding practices are often inadequate: feeding water, and other liquids, to breastfed infants is a widespread practice"(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). As we know the AIDS epidemic is growing fast in Africa. "The AIDS epidemic could threaten breastfeeding because the virus can be transmitted through breastmilk, as demonstrated by numerous studies" (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). As you can see this can cause worry with mothers, in Africa. In areas where fresh water is scarce, there isn't a lot of other options for them..."mothers are encouraged to practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first months of life followed by early and rapid weaning."(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). This is suppose to take place if there is not another source of feeding. Because of this issue "A strong determination of African governments to promote exclusive breastfeeding among all mothers and to protect prolonged breastfeeding among non-infected mothers will limit the mother-to-child transmission of HIV while preserving the benefits of breastfeeding:" (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
This information will help me improve my work, because it makes me that much more determined to help children world wide, have fresh water and food. If that means I continue to donate money to the cause then I will until I can find a better way:)
Resources: 

 (2002).[Breastfeeding in Africa: will positive trends be challenged by the AIDS epidemic?].Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Birthing Experience

I don' remember my own birth, but I do remember my first niece's birth. I picked this experience because it is the first one I got to be a part of in a way. My niece was born born June 28th, 2006. I was so excited to get a niece, that i made my sister call me as soon as she was going into the hospital. My younger sister and I were the only ones in the family not working at the time so we got to be up there when she went in at 9:00 a.m. I didn't know how long the process could take. My older sister had to walk the halls, bounce on a big ball, and she ate a lot of ice chips. Around 1:00p.m or so she got an epidural. That helped with her pain a lot an things were well are there way. I stepped out of the room when she was ready to push, because by then my mom and my sister's husband were there. I waited with the rest of the family. The anticipation was almost unbearable, we were all excited to have a little bundle of joy in the family. By 4:00p.m my niece was born. I was able to watch as she got weighed and measured. She was 6 pounds 4 oz. and 171/4'' She got a bath and was soon snuggled with her mommy. She was so cute.
A few things I didn't know about the birthing process was that it could take a while. It takes some people all day. I also didn't know that at the hospital where my niece was born they keep the amino sack for a week in case anything happens with the baby. I now have 5 nieces and nephews and another on the way in February. I have learned a lot about the process through my sisters and now through this first week of class. I think the birth has a lot to do with child development if the baby was going through stress or if something would go wrong could impact how a child develops. A child might need surgery right away for something or oxygen. I think giving birth in a facility that has the resources to help a child in an unfortunate situation, would make me feel better. I know the whole process of having a baby has come a long way and I'm sure things will change by the time I have kids.
I also researched the birthing process in China. They do have Chinese hospitals as well as Westernized hospitals. There are also a lot of home births in the rural areas of China. A woman who is pregnant in China as a lot of traditions and customs to follow. "A pregnant woman is expected and encouraged to continue working, as it is believed that this will ease labour and delivery." (http://www.4panda.com).  I feel that a lot of Americans continue to work as well until the birth. There are similar nutrition guidelines to follow but there are also a few that differ. For example" Nutritious foods and herbal soups should be eaten, and ‘sharp’ foods such as pineapple and some other fruits avoided as they may cause miscarriage. Eating squid and crab are discouraged: the former is believed to cause the uterus to ‘stick’ during delivery, the latter to result in a mischievous child."( http://www.4panda.com). This is a superstition that surrounds Chinese customs. After a child is born the mother is suppose to go into a 30 day confinement period. "In Chinese, this is literally called "sitting the month," as new mothers are pretty much expected to just sit around in pajamas for a month to recover from childbirth." (Lim, 2011).  They are not allowed to have cold foods or drinks. They can not bathe or leave the house. They have to wear thick socks and slippers to keep their feet warm. 'If it can be afforded, a special helper- responsible for both mother and child- is hired to tend the new mother for at least two weeks."(http://www.4panda.com/) Facilities have popped up in China that new moms can stay at for their confinement period. These places can be expensive, so many new mother spend this time at home. In the USA mothers usually get time off after the birth but, they do not have to spend that whole time at home.  This just showed me how culture and traditions have a lot to do with the development of a child.

Resources: http://www.4panda.com/

Lim, Louisa. (2011, July 20) For Chinese Moms, Birth Means 30 Days In Pajamas. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org