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Kabir has spent his whole life in prison with his mother when one day, he is released. Suddenly, he has to live on the streets, finding ways to earn money and feed himself with the help of his friend Rani. Though Kabir's story is fictional, there are plenty of children living in extreme poverty throughout the world. On this page, you can explore more information about the facts of childhood poverty, homelessness, malnutrition, and human trafficking in both the United States and India.
As you learn more about the issues of child poverty connected to Kabir's experience in the book, you might wish you had a way to help. Jump to the bottom of the page for organizations that help tackle child poverty.
The childhood poverty we see in the book takes place in India, but what are we doing in the United States?
Click the button below linked to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Looking for more information on families and youth? Visit those sections on the 2024 report.
It's clear Kabir and other children in prison have never had enough of the right kinds of foods. When he is released, it becomes even harder for him to access this basic necessity. Explore the effects of malnutrition with these articles and an interactive dissection. How can childhood malnutrition affect a person's life?
Dissect the brain to learn more about the structures talked about in these articles!
Did you know healthy fats are critical for your brain development and learning?
When Kabir is released to his "uncle," something happens that makes him realize he will need to run away, even if it means fending for himself on the streets - he realizes his "uncle" is selling him. It might feel like slavery is a thing of the past, but it isn't. Human trafficking is a current issue happening close to home.
There's a lot of data in this chart, and it can be a little difficult to make sense of it. See if you can answer these questions based on the chart:
How many minors were trafficked during the time period covered by the chart?
Which group in the chart seems the most vulnerable? (Is there any other information you might need to draw this conclusion?)
Did any of these numbers surprise you?
This list isn't exhaustive, and if you are ever experiencing an emergency, you should contact emergency services!
Ms. Luna can help you with the serious things, too! She'll help connect your to free resources and programs if you need them. Stop by the Wellness Center (building four near the library) to see her.
There are many food pantries in Santa Ana that help make sure people can eat. Check out this list. Personalize the filters, or find a place close to you that could use donations and volunteers.
A local organization that provides housing, basic needs, and comprehensive services for those who are experiencing homelessness. They also have a specific program for victims of trafficking.
Call the hotline for help, report a tip, view state-by-state statistics for the hotline, and search for local services that can help.
If you're interested in learning more about childhood poverty, check out our collection on Destiny Discover.
Click on a Topic to Visit that Section:
Child Poverty Prison Systems India Water Empathy Padma Venkatraman