Take the challenge: protect our future generation

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WE SEEM to be getting from bad to worse, it’s almost as if we forget after a while that our children are being killed and snatched from our lives, especially when the child is not a relative or someone we know. We have to come together as a nation by collectively taking responsibility for the children, who happen to be our future!

How many more will have to be raped and killed, stabbed or abused before we take a stronger stance? When will we see to it that the powers that be implement policies to assist with the protection of our children? Are we placing emphasis on the importance of social workers, gender specialists and psychologists in our society, as a means of resocialisation of our communities to assist with caring for these children? Aren’t we able to employ and make available subsidised transportation for urban and rural areas to ensure safety for these children to and from school?

I believe we should have a fund prepared as well, to assist family members when they fall victim of this crisis, as they often find it challenging, financially, to even bury their children.

Six-year-old Shaneika Anderson was raped and killed in 2005. There was a double rape and murder of nine-yearold Shanika Shakes and her friend, eight-year-old ShaunaKay Ledgester, found in a cane field in 2004, done by a repeat sex offender. Then we have most recently, eight-year-old Shantae Skyers, 11-year-old Trisha Morris, 15-year-old Cleon Morgan and 17-year-old Stefica Smith. The families of these children and more are mourning to this day.

I hope, for the sake of our children, that we will not let them down and that we will implement strategic measures so that they will have a better chance at life. Please, take the challenge, you in your small corner, and I in mine.