BY Diolu Tobechukwu, 1:04pm May 01, 2014,

Poem: Stop Harming the Hearts, Spirits & Minds of Our Future

child abuse

Child right advocates such as UNICEF are against child labour and excessive corporal punishment, although it’s very common in rural areas. Children are also used by parents and guardians as labourers — and I could easily liken their treatment to that of slaves in the medieval times. It is annoying how some people are against progression. I do not rule against discipline, but I rule against battering. I do not rule against correction, but I rule against rejection. Every child has rights…and they should be respected….

Child Rights…
If only we could read their minds…
Feel their bruises and sores of different kinds…
Staying up at night as they cry…
Or feel their pains as tears drop from their eyes…
They could hardly tell the difference between friends and foes…
Innocently swinging their hands as they go…
How quickly they are judged when they go wrong…

Child Labour
Many forced to labor under the rain, sun, all night long…
Easily disguised as corporal punishments in extreme cultures…
Neglecting the effect it has on a child’s future…
Crushed in their hearts feeling lonely and cold…
Scared of the unknown — always timid — never bold…
Treated as slaves in their homes…
Crying for rescue but no one comes…
Some brutally raped but the secret they keep…
So scared of their guardians they hardly fall asleep…
Tears drop as I reminisce on the sight of young road traders…
With heavy loads on their hands, heads, and shoulders…
It’s sad to see even the elites blinded to their ordeal…
Even those who care cowardly neglect what they feel…
If their tears drops as rain, the whole nation will be filled…
If their bruises were infectious, it would take time to heal…
It’s a wake-up call…
We shouldn’t stay dull…
Authorities, celebrities, and communities should fight…
Till we bring these kids out from darkness to light…
Every child has the right to grow healthy…
Every child has the right to live wealthy…
Every child has the right to a fair audience…
Every child has the right to defense…
Every child should be taken seriously…
As their future will determine someone’s destiny.

Last Edited by:Abena Agyeman-Fisher Updated: March 25, 2016

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