the big k chronicles of life

*Note: Some of the visuals in this entry are graphic. Disturbing as they are, images like these occur around the world each and every day. They are part of a horrible truth that, sadly, some choose not to acknowledge or are simply unaware of.

Nearly 11 million children under the age of 5 die each year across the globe.
That breaks down to over 1,200 children perishing every single hour.
That breaks down to 20 children passing away every single minute.
By the time you have finished listening to this song, almost 140 children will have lost their lives.

Keep in mind – these are just children under the age of 5.

And here's the clincher - nearly all of these deaths are preventable.

Starvation, disease, unclean and unsafe living conditions, contaminated water, abuse, neglect, lack of medical care, war, and violence are claiming the young and innocent.

Every year, across the globe, children are dying from these avoidable situations.

Look at the faces of these children above. Some are happy and joyful, but you just can’t shake the pleading and helpless form of the children who are desperately thin and frail. The faces of all these vulnerable human beings (and the songs and videos of earnest sorrow concerning them) are my influence and motivation. Currently, in an impoverished country, mortality rates for children under the age of 5 are as high as 1 in 10. For wealthier countries: 1 in 143. Regardless of race, gender, or class, every single one of these children deserves to grow in a safe and healthy environment.

This is the aspiration of the Goal #4 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals created in September of 2000 – to reduce child mortality. By 2015, the aim is to decrease the mortality rate by two-thirds. It’s objective is to provide a world environment more greatly committed to increasing child survival.

On of the mottos of the MGD is “No Excuses.� It is featured in everything from their advertisements to their white rubber support braces. When you look at the faces of the young children above and see their contentment, pain, and defenselessness, you cannot conjure an excuse for their suffering. There simply is none. Thus, we need to do everything in our power to help those who cannot help themselves. We need to reach out our hands and work together to save lives and reduce child mortality.

No excuses.





Also on the playlist:



"Angel" - Sung by Sarah Mclachlan





"Where is the Love?" - Sung by Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake

Child mortality and a beautiful song - "Breathe me" by Sia

Very sad video - graphic content

Videos from Unicef on child mortality and current progress toward Millennium Development Goal

Banner ads featuring celebrities from the Millennium Development Goals Campaign

(Quotes and pictures from : http://www.wisdomquotes.com/002062.html, http://religion.beloblog.com/archives/darfur_child_starving.JPG, http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jwcwolf/ClassSyllabi/hunger.jpg, http://www.ourworldfoundation.org.uk/effects-nof.htm
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/1075268040_c5e6f4bca8.jpg
http://www.carto.net/neumann/travelling/china_tibet_2001/19_pass_kampala/
http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2005/113-12/cutechild.jpg
http://quotes.gaia.com/topics/children/
http://www.cehl.org/elements/uploads/asian_girl.jpg
http://www.crsattic.com/archives/2005_09.html
http://iraq-kill-maim.org/kid-kill/pict66.jpg
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/09/13/world/13child-600.jpg
http://thinkexist.com)

(Child mortality statistics from http://www.millenniumcampaign.org/site/pp.aspx?c=grKVL2NLE&b=186384)