I have been communicating with Rebecca White from Aviano Italy, Carrie Manning from Incirlik Turkey, and Lisa Parsons from Kadena Japan. I have particularly enjoyed my conversations with Ms. Manning, who has not only described her personal perspective on poverty affecting her surrounding communities, but has also enlisted the help of a coworker, who speaks the language, to gain a perspective from the Turkish people. In my communications with Ms. Manning explains that the families serving in the military are screened for financial soundness prior to being able to move overseas. However, families do occasionally have financial difficulty and are then provided supports from the base.
Poverty in the surrounding towns is a different story, according to Ms. Manning, as children are frequently found begging in the market, and teen boys often seek work from the military members, to help support their families. Most interesting to me, is that she emphasized boys, in her email, and went on to explain that Turkey has extensive gender disparities, and it is rare to see a teen girl working. She is currently conducting research about early childhood programs in the area and will provide information as she finds it.
In communicating with Ms. Parson, I did not learn much about poverty, except that while it is well hidden, there are people in Japan who live in poverty. According to Ms. Parson, who will provide more information when things in her area of Japan have slowed, said the Japanese are very proud people. I am still waiting from information from Ms. White.
I have found the information about the issue of poverty in other countries very interesting. I was saddened to hear of children begging in the market and the inequities towards gender in Turkey. I look forward to learning more, as the knowing the struggles of other countries can help to indicate a global problem and learning the attempts to diminish poverty by other countries can provide means to success.
Sondi,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading your posts because it provides me with the opportunity to look inside the world of military families that often goes unheard or unknown to civilians. I think that it is interesting that the families are screened but this is a great process to have because it allows the government to assist families that might be ashamed or prideful in asking for help. Your post was very intersting and I look forward to learning more about Turkey and Japan.
Sondi,
ReplyDeleteI was interested in reading your blog this week because I have been in both countries that you describe. As Ms Parson wrote, Japan does have poverty but it is very well hidden. I lived in Japan for 2 years and have never seen anyone homeless on the streets or begging. In Japan, people are very proud of their employment and they work hard on creating the image that they have employement.
I can also affirm about what your contact wrote about Turkey's poverty. I have been to Turkey quiet often and seen children either beg in the streets or work for a little bit of money for street vendors or others. They try to make money by showing tourist around or guiding them to certain stores.