Does anyone care?

Tinashe Nyamuswanya Cool Lifetsyle Writer
Because a lot of teens have a lot of things it is easy to think that life is good for all of us. But the truth is that the lives of too many Zimbabwean children are filled with misery day in day out.
There are children being overworked in farms, in rural areas and in towns. This work is being carried out in and out of the home

As I was walking along the streets of Karoi one morning, I noticed young children calling out for customers to buy their wares. Little children out there alone without anyone looking out for them. By talking to these children I discovered that some of their parents were at home waiting for these little ones to earn the day’s meal.

I had to ask myself if our parents these days no longer have hearts, using their children as if they were animals.

I later on visited my uncle at his farm and again I saw young children labouring in the big fields. I began to wonder if those children were even going to school and if the parents knew the damage they were inflicting in the leaders of tomorrow because as I looked around no one seemed to care.

During my school holidays I was in the rural areas visiting my grandparents. This was the time for preparing the fields for the next ploughing season. In this time parents treat their children like slaves. The young kids have to work from morning till the evening.

In line of events I made efforts to find out why these children were being over worked, only to hear that they were working for the next term’s school fees.

Coming back to town, I was more sensitive to the plight of other children who also seem to be suffering even here in the city where there is plenty.

I am talking of the children that you find vending different kinds of things in the city centre and in the residential areas. What time do they have for studying? Do they even go to school?

I have also realised that there are children learning in satellite schools where there are no proper buildings and no books.

And there are some children whose life seems to be a constant struggle as they do not have proper school uniforms and are always being told to go back home because their fees have not been paid.

I always hear that our Government and our people are very poor. But I see a lot of luxurious cars on the roads and read of people spending money on expensive clothes and holidays.

Surely there should be enough to help all the children in the country? But maybe the question is; does anyone really care? I just wish someone somewhere would help these children who are suffering, for them to get a chance to build their future.