Free School meals for 554 Children in Spain

Poverty is not just a lack of money. It goes far beyond the absence of housing or food. In addition to the lack of essential services, poverty also means limited opportunities and a vulnerable emotional environment. On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we aim to debunk some common misconceptions and explain how we work to ensure that every child grows up with dignity and a future.

One in ten children worldwide lives without the protection and care they need. Eradicating child poverty is not just about transferring financial resources; it is about guaranteeing equal opportunities for the most vulnerable children.

“Poverty is just a lack of money”

Childhood can be affected by multiple dimensions of poverty: education, health, nutrition, housing, family environment, and social participation. A child may have food and shelter, but if they cannot access quality education, the internet, or spaces to learn, play, and interact with peers, they are experiencing a form of poverty that limits their development opportunities.

“Child poverty only exists in developing countries”

Although we often associate child poverty with developing countries, we must remember that it exists everywhere, including in Spain. It knows no borders; it is a global challenge that requires local, supportive, and long-term policies.

In fact, according to the Childhood Platform, child poverty affects 28.9% of children and adolescents in our country, and these figures are even more alarming in Roma or single-mother families.