Hello Mi Neighbour | Let’s all work together for the safety of our children

Yes, May is celebrated as Child Month in various countries. During this month, the importance of children’s rights, their welfare, and development are highlighted.

Much emphasis is also placed on the criticality of their physical, spiritual, emotional, and cognitive development. Their need for protection from abuse and exploitation also comes into sharp focus at this time!

Let’s all work together for the preservation and safety of our children, not only during Child Month, but for the next 11 months!

In some countries where it is also common knowledge that a nation’s future is embodied by its children, they go as far as having a national holiday during their Child Month, as in the case of Turkey, for example.

Of note, Child Month is celebrated at different times of the year around the world. By the way, may I suggest that we rename May “Children’s Appreciation Month” in Jamaica?

I just like the ring of it. It could also help us to appreciate our children even more.

EVIL CHARACTER

As a child growing up in rural Jamaica, my daily question was, “when dem going to get rid of the ‘black haat man’?” We heard about this “black haat man” who was taking away children and man, we were fearful!

It turned out though, that this “man” was an evil character from a Jamaican folklore, often used to warn children to be careful of strangers.

Today, that evil character is no longer on the “page”, but has come onstage. He roams everywhere: in the streets, in church, in the home, at school, and at play! So, the children ask: when will they get rid of this “black haat man”?

Can we get rid of this “black haat man” who is abusing, raping and destroying children?

This “black haat man” who has no heart, may be an uncle, an aunt, a cousin, a sibling, a trusted, friend or even a parent! Yes? Yes!! So, here is the number-one problem. “The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked”. Every human being enters this world with potential heart to commit the most heinous crimes. Unless that heart is trained (regenerated) to act otherwise, it is unlikely that it will do otherwise! This could be another “black haat man”.

BE INTENTIONAL

If the heart of this child is trained early, it’s unlikely that that heart will succumb to the dictates of evil thoughts. If you try to bend the tree when it is old, you might kill it.

Did that man who raped and killed the nine-year-old child recently receive the training as prescribed by the Creator? “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This verse emphasises the importance of early guidance and training in shaping a child’s life.

Unless we train our children “in the way they ought to go”, they will always go into the way they ought not to – including the way of a “black haat man’’.

We pray. however, that by some divine intervention, they will turn into the right direction before it’s too late! Parents, be intentional about teaching and guiding your children. Be consistent in discipline. Values, and expectations help children develop a sense of security and responsibility.

DAILY LEARNING MENU

Parents, you are expected to model the behaviour you expect of your children, daily! Children learn from what they see. The “do as I say and not as I do” philosophy only causes confusion and rebellion in these impressionable minds. Important values like honesty, kindness, purity, decency and respect must be a part of their daily learning menu.

May every act of criminality against a child remind us that we ought to train our children “in the way they ought to go”.

And hey, children who attend Sunday School or Sabbath School are usually trained “in the way they out to go”, away from criminality!

Take it away!

PLEASE HELP A NEIGHBOUR

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend at 876 649-9636 or 876 884-3866. Email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.