Mistakes can be forgiven, managed and probably forgotten until they become the norm revolving from one lineage unto another. Those who do not learn from history are born to repeat it. The street child phenomenon has become the in thing in the world, exposing the lapses in the foundational principles of society. For most this is how the story goes: Aunty A who happens to come from an average family that is barely managing to get by, falls in love with Brother B who is most likely to be someone she attends the same fellowship with or one of those louts on the streets. He lures her with basic things like money and recharge card. Then they have sex and boom! She has a baby! This sixteen-year-old Aunty A who barely knows the first thing about taking care of herself now has another human being to take care of. In most instances, Brother B runs away and leaves her with the responsibility of taking care of that one child. One would think she would learn her lesson now that her life is crumbling right in front of her eyes since this is where her education and life ambitions will end but no! She gets entangled again in another sexual saga and then she has another child at eighteen, so while she backs one baby at her arching back she carries yet another in her well-rounded belly. These children at tender ages of six, seven have the streets for a home and end up recreating this story this time as either Aunty A or Brother B.
Through the mistake of one, another is sold to a life of despair, hardship and worse, the same pitiable life. The same life of neglect, drugs, sex, alcohol, premature independence, squabbles, hunger pangs and more. A complete mess! Those who crave to experience more to life are often turned away and this too becomes another vain pursuit. Living, stumbling, falling through life with the spirit of trial and error as a guide. Nobody deserves this, especially not anyone who did not beg to be brought to this world.
The streets are not friendly. There is no strong arm to guide, no firm and instructive voice to direct. You are your own father and mother, brother and sister, advocator and confidant over there. The sooner we begin to advocate against these things, the better. This respectful silence that grows like the dead of the night is being mistaken for consent. We must speak up!
Comments