A lack of loving, protective homes and families; financial resources to attend school; and much needed educational resources (books, supplies, equipment, fees, etc.) force these needy children and youth to to drop out or not attend school, This deprives these youth basic functional skills for gainful employment. Without being positively engaged, these youth succumb to self-destructive behavior including vandalism, theft, involvement in insurgent military activities, substance abuse, gang activity, and prostitution. These youth problem behaviors are common to countries in which our organization is conducting development programs. The ever-changing global landscape has garnered numerous opportunities for developing the world’s marketplace. Outsourcing is a major point of contention in the United States, but countries like India have benefited considerably from this, particularly in the area of non-manufacturing jobs. The result is an increasing number of individuals remaining in their country and contributing to the economic development of that country. However, this requires the indigenous population to have the necessary education to take advantage of these new opportunities. Spectrum International’s program youth will have the needed educational fundamentals to acquire employment to take advantage of these new opportunities. Spectrum International Children, Inc.
STATEMENT OF NEED
The key to attainment of sustainable development in Panama and other developing nations is human capacity. Spectrum International Children has been primarily supported by immigrants from these nations who have achieved successful lives in their adopted country. However, they have great concerns for those who choose not to, or cannot, migrate to more economically developed nations. Their desire is to see the people, the human capacity living in their native countries, prosper in ways that will also realize physical and economic well being for them and ultimately for their nations.
Spectrum International Children supporters have chosen to focus their resources on the youth who are the hope and the future of their respective countries. What they learn as youth will be critical assets in their adult lives as they work to break their nation’s cycle of poverty, disease, hopelessness and stagnation. Currently, there are limited educational resources and opportunities for the majority of these youth, especially those who are physically disabled and orphaned. These conditions hinder the inalienable right for human development and pose a serious threat to peace and development in the targeted nations. The proliferation of such conditions has many causes, including government corruption and mismanagement of resources; and natural and man-made disasters including wars.
Children in special circumstances, such as orphans and the disabled, are plagued with questions pertaining to their situation and often feel a tremendous amount of rejection and low self-esteem. These feelings frequently lead to mental health issues ranging from mild to severe, resulting in negative impacts on the child’s academic performance and comprehension, ability to socialize with peers and caregivers, and in some cases, severe delay in physical development. Malnutrition, depression and poor physical growth development contribute to an already difficult life for the child.
Spectrum International Children will work to address the health needs - physical, mental and emotional – of these children by providing direct and/or indirect services that enhance a child’s self-image and perception of self-worth; a desire to learn; and nutritional problems that affect the child’s physical development and health.
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW # 240
Washington DC 20006
(877) 340-5544 or (202) 340-5544