Children In Poverty In U.S. And Other Countries Express Similar Needs

Children who live in poverty in the United States express similar needs and wishes to poverty stricken children in other parts of the world, according to a survey conducted by ChildFund Alliance.

In developing nations, 57% of 10 to 12-year-olds indicated that education would be their top priority if they were leading their country. In the United States 31% of poverty stricken children said that improving education also was the most important issue. The second most popular choice overall and for U.S. residents (19 %) was providing more food.

The Small Voices, Big Dreams survey polled almost 3,000 children between ages 10-12 in 30 countries throughout the Americas, Africa, and Asia. ChildFund Alliance, an international group of child-oriented organizations, sponsored the survey. The U.S. member of the alliance of ChildFund International.

In developing countries, one third of the children told pollsters that they go to bed hungry at least once a week. A third of the children said that food was the most needed priority. When asked what they would spend a dollar on, 45 percent overall and 55 percent in the U.S said that they would purchase food or water.

Outside the U.S., children spent much more time on household chores or other work. 26% answered that they worked at least half a day every day. In the U.S., only 11 % work half a day or more.

As children do so well, they deliver an honest and clear picture of what it is like to be young and live in poverty said Katherine Calos