Children

What the schoolteacher reported in ‘The EAR’ you published last Aug 23 is a clear demonstration that the children in today’s world are not properly taken cared of, and are thus left on their own to discover the society around them and where they live in.  Since they do not receive basic education in many areas, the only resort is to learn what they want to know from their friends. We can see the results!

Unfortunately, such situation is not new. It has been going on for years, with society acting like the three monkeys - no see, no hear, no talk. The results are in front of us every day when we read the newspapers and even when we are in the streets.

Following the launching of the “World Appeal for Childhood” on June 4 2009, and taking into consideration what was going on in front of us without any visible change, I put together a few months later a personal reflection about the children in general but in the Philippines, in particular. Since the content of this document is still, more than ever, valid, I am sharing it with the other readers of your esteemed newspaper.

Save our children

 June 4,2009 was been the official launch of the World Appeal for Childhood at the International Conference Centre in Geneva (Switzerland) to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is a “World Appeal to a New Mobilization for Childhood” as, unfortunately, previous subscribed engagements are still very far from being respected worldwide.

Let’s take this opportunity to review and to reflect about such important subject, i.e. the Dignity, the Hope and the Rights for each Child as described by BICE (International Catholic Child Bureau).

A lot has been said and written about the poor education of the children in the Philippines, the sexual abuses of all kinds and their use in child-pornography, but the fact remains that nothing has been done by the proper authorities to correct such deplorable situations and to tackle the problems immediately, once and for all.

The children are the most precious gifts in life. Since the beginning of humanity, all over the planet, billions of people have enjoyed the coming of a child, fruit of their love. Children should be given high priority in plans for social reconstruction.

Children constitute the wealth of the country and by directing their energy to proper channels we improve the physical and mental health of the whole community.

One of the most famous symbols of the Christian religion is the picture of the Madonna and the Child Jesus. This should be an inspiration.

The parents, educators and teachers at all levels of the society, should not ignore the following important principle: Education – Formation – Transformation

As long as those three principles will be ignored, how can we expect to change the existing structures in our society towards our children?

First of all, the education of the children will have to be based not only on moral values but also on spiritual values. As they progress in life, they will develop those fundamental education basis enabling them to get the needed formation which will give them awareness and motivation to reach transformation.

Give the children the true values in life such as: “Love your country”, “Be proud of yourselves”, “Honesty first”, “Always respect others”.

Education starts at home. This is an important factor often ignored in our today’s world. Often, neither homes nor schools offer adequate opportunities for the talents and energies of children. Children should be given top priority in plans for social reconstruction. In failing to do so, you do not progress, you go nowhere.

Do remember, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

From parents to highest authorities, all are fully responsible for the future of millions of children who will make this country of tomorrow.

ACT TODAY – TOMORROW WILL BE TOO LATE

Sincerely yours,

Jean Michaut

Cebu City