WhispersReturn to innocence! [Archives:2005/861/Culture]
By Fahmia Al-Fotih
Once I read a poem in where the poet wished to be a child again even for one night. Some people wish to be given a chance to relive their childhood. Humanbeings always wish for the happy and the joyful days to come back and want to forget the miserable days of their lives.
When I read that poem I realized then that the poet must have lived a happy childhood. I am sure that if that poet had lived in Yemen and in the current conditions that many children are living, she would not ask for that and she would not want to be a child again for even a minute.
Most of the children don't have schools these days and everyday you see them scattered on the streets from morning until evening. Streets, not parks or institutes, embrace our children day and night. You can imagine, dear reader, what wandering in the street aimlessly could bring about and lead to?
The same miserable and gloomy image appears everyday. I feel so sad when I see lovely children sitting in the street playing with mud barefeet and shabby clothes as if they have no parents! The parents enjoy chewing qat and they turn a blind eye to what their children are doing.
Unfortunately, most of the parents are selfish. Some parents prefer to buy a bunch of qat rather than buying a gift, book or toy for their children. How much time do most of the parents spend with their children?
Providing the children with food, water and clothes is not enough. I know they are basic needs, but love, passion and care for their problems are crucial too.
So I really wish that the newly-weds think twice before deciding to have a baby if they are not ready to take responsibility of providing a good life.
Parents have different attitudes towards childhood. Some parents think that they make sure that they have enough food and they can walk in front of them. How many fathers come back home with the things that their children like? How many fathers prefer to leave the qat sessions and regularly specify a time to talk and sit with their children? How many fathers and mothers know what their children do in the schools and what scores they get and in which classes they are? How many parents know what program and films their children watch on TV? How many parents think and plan for the summer vacation of their children and how they will spend it usefully? Many questions impose themselves. Certainly there are good parents who really care and are concerned about their children, but sorrowfully, few do.
We have heard about the Child Rights Convention, yet it has not found its way to implantation in Yemen and the children have not seen the blessing of that convention. What rights are we talking about? Everyday we see a number of so young children spend their holiday under the scorching sun selling little things on the streets, exposing their lives to danger. Our children have no place other than the dangerous streets and narrow alleys to play and relax . What rights are we talking about when we cannot protect our innocent children and make them an easy prey for harmful vices.
I am not pessimistic but I honestly look forward to seeing actual efforts exerted for children and I want to see the innocent smiles on their faces. I hope that when our children grow up. they will remember their childhood days as the prettiest days and wish to relive these days again.
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