Exploration Of The Lived Experiences And Interventions Available To Children In James Town

Abstract

Poverty is the "world's biggest killer" and the major cause of misery and ill health. Children are however the most affected by poverty regardless of the level of development within a country often due to their dependence on adults. The vulnerable nature of children is heightened by the very presence of poverty. Children living in poverty are usually deprived of sanitation, nutrition, shelter, education, quality water, and health services. Studies have shown that over eight million children in developing countries die from preventable diseases mainly from poverty and deprivation. Urban towns in recent years have housed many individuals from diverse regions due to urbanization and the dire need for greener pastures. As a result, population growth outnumbers the available resources within such communities, creating over-dependency on the limited resources available, which makes children more vulnerable. Also, the inability to distinguish between child and adult poverty within Ghanaian society has led to the oversight of the implications of poverty on children. Therefore, this study sought to explore perceptions of children from poor urban contexts in Ghana and their positive and negative lived experiences and gain information about their coping mechanisms. This qualitative study interviewed thirty (30) participants: twenty (20) adolescents (between twelve and seventeen years) from James Town and ten (10) professionals. Results revealed that poor children suffer from inadequate access to basic education, decent shelter and clothing; and good nutrition. As a result of their condition, they are forced to engage in activities in the bid to cope with poverty such as begging and running basic errands. The implications of this study highlight the vast distinction between child and adult poverty and the importance of social support, including the role of religion to adolescents in coping with poverty.