Although she made her name as Posh Spice in the Spice Girls, Victoria Beckham was in anything but posh surroundings earlier this month during a two-day trip to Clay County, Kentucky. Visiting on behalf of Save the Children USA and accompanied by her 10 ½-year-old son Brooklyn Joseph, Victoria was on hand to gain a better understanding of childhood poverty in the United States.
By her own account, the trip was both eye-opening and inspirational. The 35-year-old fashion designer and songstress explains that what she saw in Clay County — among the poorest counties in America, with a median household income of $19,728 and a childhood poverty rate of 47.8 percent — only served to reinforce for her “the hope and promise inherent in every child.” She adds,
“That’s why we have to make sure every single child has a fair and equal start in life. Seeing Save the Children’s innovative programs in action, I know that we can begin to reverse the childhood poverty crisis. I’m pleased Brooklyn is learning that, by helping and joining other children, he can play a role in making his generation the greatest yet.”
While in Kentucky, Victoria and Brooklyn visited homes where they shared information on literacy and nutrition with parents. At two elementary schools, mother and son took part in a book bag exchange, handing out tote bags filled with books, as well as a soccer lesson where they distributed shoes and backpacks donated by Adidas. Later, they read to a group of toddlers and even met with teachers and principals to learn more about the unique challenges being faced by poverty-prone school districts.
 Courtesy Save the Children |
A member of the International Save the Children Alliance, Save the Children USA serves 50,000 children with programs designed to teach healthy lifestyles while simultaneously boosting academic performance. As the organization notes, poverty all too often brings with it a litany of other problems, including poor cognitive and emotional development, illiteracy and obesity. Save the Children’s comprehensive approach works to ensure the overall physical and emotional well-being of those children who are most at-risk within the United States.
For information on how you can contribute, click here.
In addition to Brooklyn, Victoria is mom to Romeo James, 7, and Cruz David, 4 ½, with husband David Beckham.
– Missy
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