Getting to Know Your International Contacts

This week on World Forum Radio I focused on Delfena Mitchell, who is the Director of the Liberty Children’s Home in Belize. The Liberty Children's Home opened in the summer of 2005 and is licensed to house up to 40 children. The program was established to serve children from birth to 5 years of age. Older children are served if they have younger siblings in care. All of the children in care are physically or sexually abused or come from some sort of unfortunate circumstance.

On this week Ms. Mitchell shared a success story of one child. Joseph was a 9 year old boy who had been physically abused by his drug addicted mother. As a result of the abuse Joseph did not speak for a year. Joseph’s life at home consisted of overcrowding conditions ( 6 brothers and sisters, in addition to several adults) and lack of food. When Joseph did receive food he had to hide it in order to prevent others from eating it.  Once Joseph arrived at the home he was enrolled in school, but was later kicked out. As a result he received informal sessions each day. Joseph was soon enrolled back in school and began to thrive like a typical 9 year old.

After listening to this podcast, I have learned that poverty can bring upon other unfortunate circumstances for children. In Joseph’s case he was physically abused. It's sad that in addition to their living conditions Joseph and his siblings were also psychologically and emotionally damaged. As ECE professionals, it is our duty to get to the root of the problem. Sometimes what we observe barely scratches the surface. I commend Ms. Mitchell and her staff for all of the young children they give refuge to.

To learn more about Liberty Children's Home visit  http://www.libertyfoundation.org.uk/projects_libertycareprogram.html