Perhaps the worst form of child poverty must be that brought about by violence.

Violence against children and poverty are interlinked, it is not possible to end one vice without confronting the other. Children who have been severely abused or neglected often stagnate in their development, experience learning difficulties and perform poorly at school. They may have low self-esteem and suffer from depression, which can lead, at worst, to risky behaviours and self-harm.

In addition, children who grow up in a violent household or community tend to internalize that behaviour as a way of resolving disputes, repeating the pattern of violence and abuse against their own spouses and children.

Around the world, communities continue to experience widespread conflict, violence and human rights violations that result in the massive displacement of people, within and outside their countries. Multiple conflicts have taken place in the Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Ukraine. Poverty can be an important motivating factor to join armed forces and groups.

Our work in this area has grown almost organically starting with strife torn South Sudan and encompassing Kenya, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and recently Syria.

“May everyday fine everyone of us continually embraced in growing peace.” – Keishi Miyamoto, Sept 21, 2015