Children are considered precious in each part of the world; hence everyone is given a duty to look after them and meet their needs.
However, not all children can receive the love and care that is promised to them. This may be caused by the fact that some parts of the world are not very developed. This fact alone leads to immigration which is the movement of people from one place to another in search of greener pastures.
The process is somehow smooth for some immigrants, but some end up stuck at the border together with their children and belongings. The children are the ones who end up suffering the most since they may not be used to such conditions.
All hope is not lost as you can lend a helping hand to them. You may wonder; how to help children at the border? There are numerous ways to offer your assistance, but first, you need to understand the challenges they go through.
What are the challenges faced by children at the border?
Barred access to formal education.
The common phrase, ‘Education is the key to success,’ encourages them to acquire an education or even put more effort into their teaching.
However, children at the border may not have access to education due to language barriers and financial constraints.
In some cases, the children may have come from a war-torn country hence have experienced a lot of trauma and emotional distress, which could hinder them from joining the school.
At most times, it can be not easy to succeed without at least acquiring primary education.
Increased cases of mental illness and trauma.
Whether forced or voluntary, the process of migration is not easy and could take a toll on the immigrants’ mental health.
When children experience trauma, there are chances that they may not be able to interact normally with other children. This causes them to have a peculiar childhood, and they are hence unable to grow up normally.
There is also a higher risk of depression which is quite sad, especially in children. They may not know how to cope with it increasing their vulnerability.
Loss of family.
This could occur in different ways. One of these ways is when the parents are killed in their war-torn country, and the children are forced to migrate alone.
A large number of migrants causes another way. A lot of children may end up separated from their parents or guardians; hence they become vulnerable.
This vulnerability could put the children at a higher risk of facing more challenges as they have no one to look after them.
Taking up responsibilities that are above them.
Due to the numerous challenges faced by immigrants, the children may be forced to assist their parents in more ways than usual.
For example, the children may be forced to become a breadwinner to help maybe an ailing parent to meet their daily needs.
This could deprive the children of the opportunity to join the school.
Now that you are aware of the challenges faced by these children, you may decide to assist them in different ways. The following are some of the ways you can help migrant children at the border;
Work with organizations that support these children.
Numerous organizations have been set up to assist migrant children. One of the ways you could help the children is by joining these organizations, as they are always calling upon volunteers.
The organizations participating in different activities include:
- Following up on the government about the children’s rights.
- Visiting the borders to assist.
- Collecting donations.
With the diverse activities, you can select where you are most capable and offer your services to the fullest.
Conduct public campaigns.
In most cases, people are oblivious of the challenges faced by migrant children. Therefore, creating awareness could go a long way in assisting the children.
With more people aware of the challenges, the greater the number of people who would like to offer assistance, the more, the merrier.
Creating public awareness has been made easier with today’s technology as you can post these stories on social media, and you can be sure that it will reach a large number of people.
Participate in fostering.
Some of these children lose their parents or get separated from their families; hence they may not have anyone else.
You can become a foster parent and provide a home and family as the government searches for their relatives. However, you should first ensure you are licensed to become a foster parent.
Once you become a foster parent, you are advised to take off the child as if they are your own.
Provide support to migrant children.
If you happen to stay in a community where there are migrant children, accord them the same treatment you would like any other member of that community.
This treatment goes a long way in ensuring that the migrants feel welcome and start a new life there.
You can do this by encouraging them to participate in different community activities in school and become their friend.
These children will probably never forget that type of kindness.
Donations.
Donations are probably the most common method used in assisting these children. There are numerous ways to send gifts, such as churches, concerned organizations or even schools.
You are encouraged to donate whatever you can, such as books, toys, pens and pencils, clothes, and so much more, as this goes a long way in assisting them.
Follow up on your government representatives.
If there is anyone who can bring about changes, it is the government officials. You should therefore follow up on what they are doing to assist the children.
In most governments, there are usually measures put in place to assist migrants. However, these measures may not be adhered to for one reason or another. It is therefore up to you everything is followed to the latter. This will ensure that the children have an easy time.
It is always nice to help someone in one way or another
