"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today." ~Stacia Tauscher
ONE of the most important things in life is our love for our children. Clich? As it may be, indeed children are our hope for the future. If we do not love and nurture them now, not for long shall we realize that nothing is to be expected tomorrow.
It was just recently that the Anti-Child Abuse Network-Baguio conducted an information drive at Dontogan Elementary School as part of its very noble advocacy. This was joined by BCPO, Philippine Mental Health Association-Baguio-Benguet Chapter, Save our Street Children Foundation (SOSCFI), City Social Welfare and Development Office, (CSWADO), DILG, Child and Family Servise (CFSPI), Department of Education, CIDG-CAR, and the Liga ng mga Barangay Office.
This is just the first of a series of similar activities to apprise us and our children of the latter's rights as well as our responsibilities.
Basic is matter that children have rights that we must live by. Every child has the right to be born and to have a name and nationality, to have a family who will love and care for the child, to live in a peaceful community and a wholesome environment, to have adequate food and a healthy and active body, to obtain good education and develop the child's potential, to be given opportunities for play and leisure, to be protected against abuse, exploitation, neglect, violence and danger, to be defended and given assistance by the government, and to be able to express own views.
It is likewise necessary that we inculcate in our children their responsibilities for these are their guide for a better life. They have the responsibilities to love their country and be good citizens, to love their family and to respect their parents, to study well and to come to class on time and do their assignments, to make use of their potentials to the fullest, to eat clean and nutritious food, to keep their home and surroundings clean and to have a clean and strong body, to be honest and respectful, to take care of their toys and to keep these orderly, to obey rules and regulations, to maintain peace and order in their community, and to be law abiding citizens.
Children are so precious that they deserve the utmost love. Vulnerable are they that we need to protect them from anything that corrupts their innocence. As the saying goes, while we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.
* * * * *
On July 30, 2010, Friday, will be the culmination of the 2010 Cordillera Month Celebration at the Baguio Convention Center at 8 o'clock in the morning. Let us all join as this would again be an opportune time for us Cordillerans to gather and share the common spirit as we celebrate our heritage. (imallango@yahoo.com)