Compassion for Children in Africa Everyone’s Duty

October 27, 2005

Michael Kimuli of Kampala Uganda was the winner of the recent Youth For Human Rights “Compassion” Essay contest for this entry.

"Compassion is defined in contemporary English dictionaries as feeling sorry for or giving a helping hand to someone. Compassion is not a religious business as most people claim. It is a human business where every one should be concerned, and it is not a luxury but is essential for our own peace and mental stability and for human survival.

"I think as youth we should develop compassion for each other and be at the forefront of change and take time to explore all angles. There is no doubt that the children in Africa need to be rescued from the darkness of child poverty. We need to be a solution to the problem and not part of the problem.

"In Africa, a sizeable number of children are orphans and there are many families with children at their head. Youth and children need to speak for themselves. When given the chance, children can be their own advocates and this makes us realize that compassion is human business where all human beings are involved.

"The challenge now to youth and children is to develop compassion and love for their counter parts living in abject poverty and devise strategies to tackle child poverty in Africa and the whole world. The “good neighbor for development” principle should be encouraged. The fight against child poverty is not a luxury. As one writer said, when poverty enters through the door, love and respect go through the window. This must not be."