Remember the rights of the child

THE EDITOR: While we talk about making a home for the Headquarters of the FTAA, developing our Tourism Sector and the great future that Trinidad and Tobago has because of the abundance of natural resources, our young people are in crisis. We are failing as a nation to protect and nurture the children of our country. The innocent who cannot defend themselves are mistreated, abused and violated time and time again.

True poverty obliterates reason — poverty is truly hell. No food, no proper shelter, no basic life skills, no understanding of nurturing and protecting. Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the United Nations and conforms to the provisions of the “Rights of the Child”. We need to put this document into a living, breathing vehicle for guiding social change.

The NGO sector that supports Social Service delivery has been working tirelessly to assist but with limited resources, physical, financial and human, the results are only a drop in the bucket. Can we not drop the rhetoric and proceed with action that will make a difference? Can we stop these acts of violence from occuring between those who should be loving and nurturing one another? Trinidad and Tobago remember honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. We all need to display these qualities and to love one another.

LISA GHANY
President
YMCA of Trinidad and Tobago