Africa is the World's second largest and most populous continent. It is also a diverse and complicated continent, a continent beset with so many problems, problems which always infringes on the right of the child. Poor governance, corruption, un-employment, population growth, insecurity, droughts and famine, conflicts (internal and external) etcetera are just a few of the myriad of problems facing this huge continent.
I am not about delving into the challenges facing Africa as a whole but rather concerned about the plight of the African Child.
Children are the future and it is the responsibility of adults to protect them and ensure that they get the best footing in life. But unfortunately, this is not so in Africa.
These young children face lots of insecurity from health hazards, poor parenting practices, un-implemented government policies, human predators. And as such, these children suffer from neglect, deprivation and related violence from the very people who are supposed to protect them.
Sexual violence is one of the highest crimes against children. Violence, domestic abuse and discrimination are some of the painful realities these children have to go through every day of their lives.
The day of the African Child is celebrated on the 16th June of every year, since 1991, but the problems of the African Child are far from over. The day is targeted towards creating awareness on the abhorrent situation of children in Africa. The challenges they face in our time is colossal, to say the least.
Looking closely at the faces of the children, too often, tears are flowing, there's crying, sorrow, pain and no one to share these burdens with. Living shattered lives and broken dreams.
In Africa tonight, a child will cry himself to sleep. He's deeply hurt and confused and there's no shoulder to cry on.
In Africa tonight, a mother would watch her child waste away from malnourishment and disease for she has no means of helping her baby. There's nothing she can do to make things right again.
In Africa tonight, a child will be sexually abused over and over and over again with a threatening oath to remain forever silent.
In Africa tonight, a child will go to bed hungry and starving and writhing from pains of intense hunger.
In Africa tonight, a child will be denied the comfort of a warm bed and made to lie on the cold and stony floor.
In Africa tonight, a father will abscond in his responsibilities and turn his children to beggars of alms and prey to predators.
In Africa tonight, children will live in over-populated, dirty and stinky slums. They have been consigned to the back side of life by poverty.
Need I go on to write more of these hydra-headed monsters seeking to destroy the destiny of the African Child, the very future of the African continent?.Do we say the future is bright ? Do we sincerely think that there's hope for the African Continent? I prayerfully hope there is. What do you think?
Sources are from here , here , and here
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Like you rightly said, so many challenges for an African child, the hard labor, growing up in an environment that doesn’t support good educational system, injustice is not far-fetched, oppression is another challenge, access to quality education, clean water, even good food is another major for African children.
I want to believe you and I can make a significant impact in making this continent better for an African children. Let us learn to give a helping hand to someone today and make this world a better place for everybody.
Yes, if all hands can be on deck to protect these young ones, then it is achievable at a go. On the home front particularly, there's a lot to be done. Thank you.
African child go through most times just be something out of nothing. Anyways, Africa is gonna be great again.
Yes I believe so too, but we have lots to do starting from you. Thank you.
Mother Africa will blossom again and her children will rise from the dust. God bless @euronation
I will say 'Amen' to that. Thank you
An African Child Is Wishing This Very Moment!!!!!!!
Wishing that she would be given a chance at destiny. Thank you for stopping by.
Africa will be great again. She will be great once she understands the profit of love. She will be great again once she understand the beauty of long planing. Africa will be great once we are free from mental slavery, African will be great once we are able to identify our own saints. African will be great once we see our own religion as supreme. The greatness of african lies within african.
The children shall smile one day, we only need a man of position. You cant make a move without having and conquering your position
I love your optimism. Yes we need visionary leaders who will lead Africa to its promise land. Thank you for your input
Yes, grassroots level. That is you and I. Thank you so much.
Dreams come true when you believe. Attaining to a better future by the African child looks more like a dream.But if we do our part as individuals, government and the society at large, there is hope that the future will be bright, not only for the African child but for mother Africa also
We must play our individual part to make of Africa what we want it to be. Thanks for coming around
It is not gainsaying that some African children are passing through hardship, as a result of the failure of our leaders to alleviate their plight. Many African children are passing through this mess because of our leaders' selfishness and greediness. .
I pray God to help the African child.
Amen!
If only our leaders would be more self-less and less selfish, these problems would be a walk-over. Thank you.
Yes of course.
They need mental discipline on how to run a civil society..
Motherhood! A great privilege. May God raise up sensitive and loving women in this generation to help fight for their kids and help them grow into great parents.
You have mentioned a very vital point. Embarking on unprepared parenthood is a huge problem and the products of these unions end up un-catered for. We must fight for our kids. Thank you for this wonderful contribution.
The plight of the African child is happening and even visible to the blind My prayer is that one day they overcome this and live a life of happiness. God's willing our dreams shall become reality..... I also hope and pray that their future should be bright. Let's remain hopeful.
Indeed, we shouldn't give up but keep hope alive. Thank you
I know for sure that African child will be dusted and all hope will be regain.
We deserve the best. Let those at the top need to look down and see what people are passing through
Bad leadership is Africa's bane. They hold a large share of the blame. Thank you for stopping by.
Thanks for sharing....upvoted & resteemed.
Thanks too
It is a great work for mothers to raise a child. How a child's life is going to be is determined by d way his or her mother handled her. Weldone @euronation
I believe that parents are largely to be blamed for this fiasco. Thank you
As stated above,malnourishment is a major factor or challenge faced by most african countries. African children goes to sleep with empty stomach there by developing stunt growth like having kwashiorkor which kills alot. May God save Africa (Amen)
Amen brother. Thank you
Looking at them makes my heart break. I just wish that they will experience a life full of love and happiness. Every child deserve it.
It is heartbreaking seeing all these happening to these little ones and I pray that respite will come swiftly. Thank you for empathizing with the African Child.