Despite the pledge by former prime minister Bob Hawke that no child should live in poverty, the latest UNICEF report card shows that Australia is far from being the lucky country for all.

Despite the pledge by former prime minister Bob Hawke that no child should live in poverty, the latest UNICEF report card shows that Australia is far from being the lucky country for all.

Almost 11% of Australia’s children live below the poverty line, with their families earning 50% below the median wage. For Indigenous children, 31% live in households with insufficient money for basic living expenses.

Life for these poor young children is a struggle. They feel isolated or excluded, feel as if they have no control over their life and future, feel stressed, anxious or depressed and face a life lacking choices and opportunity.

It is hardly surprising, then, that people living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage tend to have poorer health, which can linger throughout their lives.
Researchers at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) are thinking of new and innovative ways to break the cycle of generational poverty and infuse young lives with positive and fun influences in music, art, drama and dance.

It’s the key to improving the quality of life and educational outcomes for disadvantaged children and the catalyst to enhancing social connectedness.
Researchers know from laboratory modelling that animals raised in conditions with minimal stimulation consistently underperform compared to those raised in environments which offer multimodal stimulation. Enriched animals have better problem solving and learning abilities, appear to be less anxious and depressed, and recover quicker and better from sickness.

Humans are much the same in this regard. HMRI’s research program E2EEE (Enrich 2 Engage, Educate & Empower) will provide disadvantaged kids with the cultural tools to improve their lives now and maintain good health and wellbeing for the rest of their lives.
You can help simply by voting in the Eftpos Giveback, with up to $2million going to a worthy cause. Please make sure that you highlight “Disadvantaged kids, families and communities”.