The enemy: Uneducated, impoverished, unemployed teens

“The majority of Muslims belong to one of two denominations, the Sunni and the Shi'a.[7][8] Islam is the predominant religion in the Middle East, North Africa, and large parts of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.[9] Sizable communities are also found in China and Russia, and parts of the Caribbean. About 13% of Muslims live in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country,[10] 31% in the Indian Subcontinent,[10] and 20% in Arab countries.[1”

“The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year 10.6 million children die before reaching their fifth birthday. Each day 29,000 children die (1 per 30 seconds).1 More than 3 million stillbirths occur annually. Four million die in the first month of life, 20% on day 1. Early causes of death include pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, malaria, malnutrition, neonatal conditions, and HIV/AIDS.1 In 2003, 27 million children were not immunized. Older children are often victims of conflict and poverty. While the main focus is on mortality, the neglected child is also a major problem as little attention is paid to morbidity, subsequent disability, quality of life, and economic strain on the family. Two of the 6 billion inhabitants in the world today live below the poverty level. Even in nations with a recent economic upswing (eg, China, India) there are relatively few affluent people surrounded by millions in poverty with many children living each day facing a future that is uncertain. The UN Millennium Development Goals are ambitious and include reducing childhood mortality and developing a continuum of care from conception to childhood.2 Safer pregnancy, improved care at birth, feeding strategies, and reducing childhood illness by providing vaccines are some of the planned interventions of noble intent but the problem is making them accessible. There is a lack of funding and access to care in underdeveloped countries and a severe shortage of health care workers, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia.”