Buzz
The rich tapestry of global cultures is vividly reflected in the lives of children. This compilation takes you on a worldwide tour, showcasing how different societies nurture their young. It also provides a heartfelt insight into the disparities in living conditions, especially through the lens of our children's experiences.
10. Syria
Abdul, a 10-year-old boy, adores Kibbeh. In Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, there are more than seventeen types of this dish. Kibbeh resembles a dumpling, crafted mainly from bulgur and filled with various meats, vegetables, and spices. For many Syrian children, life is incredibly harsh, with countless lacking basic necessities like shelter, food, and clean water. Abdul has been waiting for a critical heart surgery for over two years, which he may never receive. His family resides in a tent city alongside sixty thousand other internally displaced individuals.
9. Algeria
Couscous stands as Algeria's iconic national dish, but Basem, shown here with his face hidden behind an Algerian flag mask, prefers shakshouka—a flavorful dish of eggs poached in a rich tomato sauce. Algeria faces a 32% child mortality rate, and over 10% of its children remain unvaccinated. Additionally, children born out of wedlock often lack legal protections.
8. Ukraine
Ukraine boasts a diverse array of traditional dishes, many of which share similarities with those of its former Soviet Union neighbors. One such dish is holubtsi, a cabbage roll stuffed with a variety of ingredients, typically beef, lamb, or pork, seasoned with garlic, onion, and spices. Artyom, a 10-year-old boy pictured above, loves this dish. He still suffers from headaches caused by shelling in 2014 and requires regular medical visits to monitor his eyesight.
7. Brazil
Aberto is a fan of feijoada, a hearty bean stew featuring beef and pork, often accompanied by rice and sausages that are sometimes cooked within the stew. In Brazil, many children are forced into labor—girls as domestic helpers and boys as manual workers—with child labor making up nearly 30% of the workforce. More fortunate children attend school for just four hours each day.
6. Afghanistan
Kabuli palaw, a fragrant rice dish, is Afghanistan's national specialty. However, Neo, shown in the photo, favors Sheer Khurma, a sweet delicacy made from vermicelli, saffron, milk, sugar, nuts, dates, and rose water, traditionally served during celebrations. In Afghanistan, the average monthly income is $135, and children, who are legally barred from working before age 14, often earn even less while laboring in hazardous environments.
5. Congo
Moambe Chicken, the Congo's national dish, is a rich stew crafted from chicken, traditional Congolese spices, and palm butter, derived from palm tree fruit. This dish is also cherished in Gabon and Angola. However, the Congo faces severe issues with child trafficking and the use of child soldiers. For children like Dira, pictured above, being born in the Congo comes with a 10% risk of not surviving past the age of five.
4. Israel
Chasin, a thirteen-year-old boy, comes from an ultra-orthodox Jewish family in Jerusalem. His household adheres to kosher lemehadrin, the strictest dietary laws in Judaism. Chasin's preferred dish is lokshen kugel, a creamy pudding or casserole made with egg noodles and dairy, a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish recipe.
3. United States of America—Bonus
2. Bangladesh
Rubel, a 12-year-old boy, works in a factory producing metal utensils, earning $5 weekly. He enjoys attending school whenever possible. His favorite meal is fish curry, specifically Hilsa, which is considered Bangladesh's national dish.
1. North Korea
Ji-seok, a 10-year-old from North Korea, lives with his father, who earns the average annual income of $1,000. Ji-seok enjoys chatting with friends online, made possible by the government-approved Red Star operating system. His preferred dish is mul naengmyeon, a chilled noodle soup featuring buckwheat noodles, beef slices, and pear, a North Korean delicacy.
