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4. Myanmar
Recruited into the army
According to Human Rights Watch, Myanmar has more child soldiers than any other country in the world. An estimated 70,000 children are in the state army, in addition to 7,000 child fighters in opposition militias. Boys as young as 11 are intentionally recruited and sometimes beaten into saying they’re 18. Following a brutal training period, the children are forced to fight, loot villages and commit human rights atrocities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child prohibits the forced recruitment of children under the age of 18 for use in armed conflict.

World Vision began working in Myanmar in 1958. The organization has helped many children to date, but there remain hundreds of thousands who lack access to education and health care.

5. Swaziland
Dead of AIDS before 40
Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence in the world and, not surprisingly, the lowest life expectancy. In addition to chronic poverty and food shortages, more than 33 per cent of Swazis are infected with HIV. Boys born in this tiny southern African country can expect to live to age 39.8 (girls, to age 39.4). AIDS has created about 63,000 orphans in the country, who are vulnerable to poverty, hunger, abuse and illness.

World Vision began working in Swaziland in 1975. It is now the leading international nongovernmental organization in the country.

Related Links
Click here to read about five of the worst places to be a girl.
If you would like to change the life of a boy in need, click here.