ZAMBIA

Care for the Children

IT is often said that children are our future leaders. But unfortunately, the state of our children leaves much to be desired as most of them have been ravaged by poverty, hunger and disease while the world looks on helplessly.

The world has been so obsessed with the past that we have forgotten to do our basic duty-to conserve the past while preserving the future. There is so much being done for the elderly who are able to fend for themselves while children wallow in poverty and most recently are victims of the dreaded HIV and Aids, a pandemic not of their making.

The situation is so desperate that we seem to have forgotten that our founding fathers and leaders were once children well cared for by their parents. That is how they grew up to fight for political Independence and another group of leaders is currently waging a fierce battle for economic development, which is commendable.

It is with the children in mind that we concur with Health Minister Silvia Masebo's message when she launched the State of the World's Children report for 2006 in Lusaka yesterday. The future without children is bleak and for Zambia, we may not be able to attain the 10 Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) if children remain spectators. The Government, Ms Masebo observed was concerned that children were still being neglected, abused, used as labourers, are out of school, homeless and are hungry.

We believe more needs to be done to help the vulnerable children now roaming the streets with no shelter, clothing nor food. The Government has played its part and for starters, provided free basic education. Our concern, however, sterms from the fact that we have hundreds, if not thousands of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) all fighting for the children and their rights.

If these organisations, most of which are donor driven had children at heart, we would not be having these many streets kids. We appreciate the roles being played by several NGOs and orphanages dotted around Zambia, but they must address issues of children before they empower themselves with lavish vehicles and offices.

Concerns raised by Ms Masebo and many Zambians in the past will not be as frightening as we currently have on the ground if civil society played its role. There is certainly need for sufficient and focused attention to children or they will continue to be trapped and forgotten.

With action and care, we can certainly alleviate the suffering of many children, especially those we have thrown on the streets to fend for themselves.

Editorial, The Times of Zambia
March 2, 2006

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