It seems like material things are ruling the world right now. We just always have to buy something we don't really need. And as much as I love clothes, books, an abundance of food and all of that, watching this video made me feel shallow. Shallow for wanting and craving for these things that I don't really need. They're just plain temporary and shallow happiness. I mean, it's normal to have a few wants at times, or have a few of this and that. but let's face it we always want more. We always end up having too much of what's really necessary. Living in the city overwhelmed with tempting availability of an abundance of things is making me greedy. And this thought is making me very sad and depressed.
Being a kid for me was the best. To be able to play, to not to worry about a single thing. Basically, to have a carefree life. But not every child is blessed with a "silver spoon" in their mouth. Case and point, the children from this documentary. Kids from Agusan del Sur who carry logs down a steep hill. Children have rights like all of us but sadly not all of them are being followed. It states that "Children have the right to an adequate standard of living, healthcare, education and services, and to play and recreation. These include a balanced diet, a warm bed to sleep in and access to schooling." To see the children having to carry logs to earn money instead of being at school where they should be is just wrong. And to think that the adults who actually pay them a mere 10 pesos or 12 pesos if they're lucky don't even feel guilty, just sickens me. One of those kids, namely Cherilyn who acts as both the mother and father to her 5 younger siblings. They live in a hut where their source of light is a candle and plumbing does not exist. when the reporter was interviewing this little girl you can just see life drained out of her. I can't help but feel helpless and useless because I can't do anything about it.
Another is "Children have the right to protection form abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination." These kids are being abused, neglected, exploited and discriminated for the fact that they have to go down a steep hill carrying logs that are bigger than they are and sometimes 2 to 3 times their actual body weight for 4 hours, and be paid only 12 pesos. Plus if they got the wood dirty those scumbags won't pay for it, because they're considered as rejects.
Lastly "Children have the right to participate in communities and have programs and services for themselves." This was violated for the mere fact that these kids did not a have say on how they were being treated on how little they were paid.
Children are the hope of the nation. Cliche as it may sound it stands to reason there will come a time when they will take over and be the next leaders of our nation, and so it is our responsibility to make sure that they are given equal opportunity for education and basic necessities needed to live a healthy life. To make sure that we focus on enriching and developing them to the point that they are able to enjoy life.
I guess it's really about perspective, and choosing to see, having an open mind. We should break out of this mold of such controlled society.
Another thing is that I I think it's time for us, as a Thomasian NSTP student to take a step back and stop being so self-involved, create not only a child friendly society but a more "we" place instead of an "I" place. There are millions of people in this world and there is a reason why that is . We don't exist individually, we exist collectively as a race. We were put on this world for a purpose and it wasn't so we could devote our lives only to ourselves but to others as well. It's very important to share, give, lend a hand not ask for anything in return.
Asking the question "why is it important to protect and respect the rights of children?" is like asking "why do we need to breathe?" It's simple, what difference does it make if you were a grown up, bottom line is we all deserve respect and you'd be ignorant to tell otherwise.When people have a light heart and so much positivity, you can't help but receive the same energy and implement it in your life as well.
I believe in love. I will never stop believing . I believe love will help us find the way to stop hate and abuse. Having love and compassion towards ourselves, other people and the world will bridge gaps, elevate our understanding for life and create a connection that will be unbreakable.
There is always hope.
