“…a child cannot raise a community”...she said
The above question was chosen by me to be a motto of a youth organization that I decided to develop. When I chose this motto it was suppose to be of the rhetorical, but I am forced to explain my motto or the group’s motto.
The popular saying goes like this, “It takes a community to raise a child.” Who is a child? What is a community? A child can be explained as “a young one” and a community “as a group of people with a common interest”. When I introduced the motto to a prominent young lady she uttered, “That motto is null and void, for a child cannot raise a community.” I found it strange and began to question myself. I was taken back for a while because I thought she would have understood. For those who think that it is impossible, permit me to explain the motto.
What if it takes a child to raise a community? Everybody’s opinions are valid and are valuable in my sight. Let me reiterate that a child can be termed as a young person, and a community as being everybody. The issue of raise can be influence, elevate and assist. Persons are failing to look beyond the know of and not trying to include the cans. A young person can be very influential in the upbringing of a community. The child does not mean 0–11 years of age, child can be from 0-30 years and even over. My motto seeks to combine the child and the community. How can we as children be of any assistance to the populace of our communities? Some might ask.
In addition, even though society is labeling the youths as being the turmoil of the country, there are the youths who are excelling and are searching for the ‘job well done’ and a pat on their back. Many youths of the nation are willing to assist the communities in any way possible. So what are you telling me? Because of the age range, that being, child – young adult they will not be of great assistance. There are more children in a community than adults, approximately two children per house. Children tend to cling and listen to other children better than listening to the community or as some have it: the elders. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that they are always indulging in the positives. Children to children dialogues have always lit a flame in me. The ways they meet and greet and converse with each other are unique ones. Think about it, when Jesus Christ entered the temple and began his teachings wasn’t he a child? Children love to speak and most of them who speak have something to say. Children are filled with big ideas; ideas that can change our communities. When children are questioned about their future, they want to become doctors, teachers and even prime ministers. One idea of a child can be ten accomplishments of a community, as one idea of the community can be the same to a child. Let’s look deeper into the community. Children are always taking part in different activities. The hosting of activities such as school fun days, shows and sport days usually bring the community together. At the mentioned events, who is the center of attention? The children! Here it is evident to note that the group’s motto has come into effect. The actions of the children are helping in bringing the members of the community together. The popular sports day is one event that is highly mentioned in the community. Friends and enemies alike are present at the playfields to cheer on their favourite colour house.
However, the local saying “It takes a community to raise a child” is a proverb that I have grown to love, understand and live by. It is simply saying that each individual who is a part of a community, be it the beggar or the priest, should really assist in the raising of a child. The motto was chosen so that my group would be introduced and taken seriously. The name of the group is ‘Youth Reuniting, Reconstructing and Reviving St. Paul’s’. We the children of the prestigious village of St. Paul’s have seen a drastic change in the mood of the community; we have also realized that an invisible divisor is present. Our motto - ‘What if it takes a child to raise a community’? - is like any other motto; the Boys’ Brigade motto: Sure and Steadfast, the motto of our country, Country above self. The group’s motto will help to notify the community that we have become aware and we the children are going to play a vital role in bringing the community back together. Child in this, our motto, means the youths. Many exceptional youths in the community are willing to fight for the change; children who are ready to uplift and help to raise the community.
If the community is under attack and no one but a child has the answer, what will you do? What if it takes a child to raise a community? Speak…
