Children in the Slums
Improve Access To Basic Necessities
For Urban Poor Children
Behind the bustling city lights and in between skyscrapers live millions of urban poor children who are invisible in the eyes of society. Urban inequality and exclusion have resulted in an urban paradox. Some children who live in urban cities miss out. They live in slums in the cities and suffer more severe deprivations than their rural peers.
The Urban Paradox
Proximity to basic services ≠ Access to them
The higher living expenses in cities, coupled with social and political barriers, result in millions of urban poor children living in places and slums unfit for human habitation. These children also have inadequate access to proper nutrition, education and are subjected to violence and exploitation.
World Vision wants to enable urban poor children to be able to continue their education, acquire relevant skills and thrive in healthy and safe environments.
Life of an Urban Poor Child
Overcrowded living conditions in informal settlements with a lack of access to basic amenities like clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene facilities.
Difficulty staying in or keeping up in school due to poor home environments, limited learning resources, lack of family support, etc.
Due to high cost of living, families cannot afford to buy nutritious food. Higher food insecurity results in children being stunted and having poor health.
Child labour and trafficking – children as young as six or eight can be forced to work long hours in dangerous jobs to support the living expenses in cities.
Our Work to Help Children in Slums
Help Child Labourers Go Back to School
Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Help children withdraw from child labour and go back to school
- Empower parents with livelihood options to support their children's education
- Advocate against hazardous child labour with government and stakeholders
Protect Children from Child Labour
Kathmandu, Nepal
- Train vulnerable adolescents on life and protective skills
- Empower vulnerable families with decent livelihood options to discourage child labour
- Engage national child protection groups to set up functional mechanisms to address child labour
Provide Basics for Children in Slums
Mandaue, Philippines
- Rehabilitate malnourished young children
- Improve child literacy for them to keep up in school
- Support alternative learning and job readiness for out-of-school youths
Improve Children's Health in Slums and Schools
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Set up handwashing facilities in schools in need to reduce infectious diseases
- Upgrade wastewater system for hygienic environment
- Educate children, teachers, community on environment & personal hygiene
Voices of Urban Poor Children
Watch this space for stories that bring you closer to the lives of urban poor children. Read more stories here.
Faiza, 16 years old, was once a child labourer working in a leather factory. Through World Vision's sewing training programme, Faiza is now shaping her own future with each stitch. Read More
Once a child labourer, 10-year-old Kawsar is now stepping into school for the very first time. With the help of World Vision, Kawsar and his family embark on a journey towards a promising future. Read More
He was just a year old when his father died of kidney failure. Now, Sakib and his brother, have dropped out of school to contribute to the family income. Read More
Your monthly giving can ensure that children receive timely aid to help them thrive in the cities.
