While doing my reading for my ISS 220R (Changing Concept of Childhood) course I stumbled upon something that really touched me and it made me appreciate life even more. Imagine living a life without a roof over your head, no clean water, or no available health care. Scary isn't it?

Well take a look at this:

Over 16 per cent of children over five in the developing world are severely malnourished. Nearly half of these 90 million children live in South Asia.

About 400 million children - on average one in every five children in developing countries - have no access to safe water.

One in every three children in the developing world - over 500 million children - has no access whatsoever to sanitation facilities.

About 270 million children, or just over 14 per cent of all children in developing countries, have no access to health care services.

Over 640 million children in developing countries experience severe shelter deprivation, which those in sub-Saharan Africa clearly the most deprived.

Over 140 million children in developing countries - 13 per cent of those aged 7 - 18 year - have never attended school.

Over 300 million children in developing countries are deprived of information, lacking access to television, radio, telephone, or newspapers.

Reference: The State of the Worlds Children 2005: Childhood under threat.

I don't know about you, but it makes me feel very thankful for all the opportunities I have. And then I wonder, Is my morning Tim Horton's tea worth replacing. Absolutely! A childs' life is worth anything and everything.

~Lots of Love~

Lori ¶ 10:09 PM