The effects of poverty on children are wide-reaching and can lead to lifelong struggles, especially when young people don’t receive a full education.

Poverty and education are inextricably linked, because people living in poverty may stop going to school so they can work, which leaves them without the literacy and numeracy skills they need to further their careers. Their children, in turn, are in a similar situation years later, with little income and few options but to leave school and work. Diversifiedcharities aims to help families escape the cycle of poverty through various educational and livelihood programs. Many times, we learn by listening to communities about their specific needs and working to fulfill them.

The Effects of Poverty on Education

In many countries where Diversifiedcharities works, school is free, but there are additional costs for uniforms, books, and transportation, especially in rural areas, where a student may travel more than an hour each way by public bus to school. The expenses may be too much for a family to pay, on top of the money the family loses by not sending a child to work.

Some countries’ governments also spend a lower share of their gross domestic product (GDP) on education, which makes public education less available (particularly to the poor) and of lower quality. Overcrowded classrooms, broken desks, no computers — all are common sights in school districts with budgets that don’t meet students’ needs. Teachers burn out or may be unqualified to teach certain subjects. All of these challenges create a serious disadvantage for children growing up in poor households.

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