Key Takeaways:
- International Children’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world on June 1.
- Extreme poverty impacts millions of children, so it’s a key issue often discussed on International Children’s Day.
- Poverty keeps children from growing and developing into healthy adults, shortens their life expectancy, threatens them with hunger and has many other devastating consequences.
Table of Contents
What Is International Children’s Day?
Many countries celebrate International Children’s Day on June 1 every year. This day is dedicated to celebrating and supporting all children around the world. International Children’s Day commenced during the World Conference for the Well-Being of Children held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1925.
International Children’s Day is a different celebration from the popular World Children’s Day, but the goal is the same: to raise awareness of children’s needs and take action to improve their well-being.
At Compassion, International Children’s Day is close to our heart. After all, our mission is to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Our priority is advocating for children in need around the globe, ensuring they’re known, loved and protected.
A Key Issue Harming Children: Extreme Poverty
On International Children’s Day, many organizations and individuals work to raise awareness about issues facing children around the world. And one of those issues is extreme poverty.
What does extreme poverty mean? It means families must try to survive on less than $2.15 per day. And many struggle to fulfill their basic needs like food and water on even less than that.
The Effects of Poverty on Children
It’s estimated that around 333 million children live in extreme poverty around the world. And unfortunately, poverty harms every part of a child’s life.
Children living in poverty can’t get critical necessities like food, clean water, medical care and education. This means poverty:
- Hinders healthy physical, social and emotional growth and development.
- Shortens life expectancy.
- Increases infant and child mortality rates.
- Brings hunger, neglect and instability into children’s lives.
- Increases the likelihood that children will have chronic health conditions.
- Makes children sick with preventable diseases like malaria.
- Increases the likelihood that children will suffer or witness violence.
- Prevents children from getting an education, keeping them from growing into self-sufficient adults.
Children living in poverty are left feeling hopeless, unable to see a brighter future beyond their dark circumstances.
How Compassion Helps Fight Child Poverty
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” — Proverbs 31:8-9, NIV
Children are the most vulnerable among us, often unable to speak up or care for themselves. And God’s Word tells us that we’re responsible to do that on their behalf. That’s exactly what we do at Compassion for children living in poverty.
We partner with churches in impoverished communities to share the love of Jesus with children by caring for their critical needs. We provide nutrition support, medical checkups, education and other necessities that empower children to leave poverty behind.
Most importantly, we share the gospel with each child, inspiring them to have eternal hope in the midst of their present circumstances.
How You Can Celebrate & Support Children in Need
International Children’s Day is the perfect day to step up on behalf of children living in poverty. By partnering with Compassion and becoming a child sponsor, you can choose to celebrate and support a child each and every day of the year.
As a child sponsor, you’ll help us equip local churches to know, love and protect children in need. You’ll help provide a child with the essentials they need to thrive, from nutritious food to medical care. And you’ll offer life-giving encouragement to a child by sending them messages and praying for them.
Join us in celebrating every child — even the most vulnerable children — this International Children’s Day by sponsoring a child.