THEY ARE OUR CHILDREN

                               

I don’t know how often you get to come in contact with these kids who are mostly seen around shopping complexes and are to some degree dirty, without shoes and even unhealthy smell. They call them street kids and I call them our kids and would like to know what you call them. These kids like any kids ran into the streets to find some refuge which they couldn't find anywhere in their communities. People ask why they turn to abscond from their caring aunts and uncles. After having done a little of some research on this issue, I have come to realize the implication of this. The exercise has helped to not just look at the surface of the problem but the root or the origin of this whole issue. Some people are even offended when these kids are offered change or leftovers. They will make comments like “they will never go back home if they continue to be treated like this.” Which makes me think, when we say this, are we thinking of these kids from our own frame of reference or their own. Do we even have a slightest idea where these kids are from? Do we know why these kids are there? Do we know their story well enough to judge them?

I am saying this because I have seen these kids, have been in direct contact with them on a personal basis. And I will tell you, I feel so much lucky that as a kid I never had to go through what these kids are going through. I know we complain that by donating to them will do no good but more bad. I do agree but unless there is a major initiative implemented to curb this problem, it is far from being over. We will continue to complain, they will turn into monsters under our noses because we did nothing. We were comfortable in our own space to care. Why should we care? Why should it matter? 

My bible says in Proverbs 14:31 “whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”  

And 1 John 3: 17-18 on the other hand says

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but indeed and in truth.

Before we judge let’s ask how we could assist. Let us remember the word of God and take the first step in correction. Let us love and share their pain. Let us change lives to fulfill our purpose in life. Let us remember that when we eat those yummy meals from those luxurious places, there is a child outside, who would die for that small piece of chicken.