There are some things all good, sane people agree on: ALL children should be protected and afforded basic human rights. Irrespective of your religious, ideological or political views, there seems to be at least consensus about that, if nothing else.
I know that Islam certainly holds the care of a child and especially that of an orphan as a high-ranking priority and one that will be rewarded most abundantly. It is mentioned in the Quran and Hadith countless times and there are many accounts of esteemed Muslims who have made great endeavours in this regard, both past and present.
So given that we have this consensus and we all agree that there is great satisfaction and possible reward in it, why are there still so many children that are unprotected? Why are there so many who are starving and homeless with no access to education? Why are there still children who are forced to work in barbaric conditions with no prospect of any change?
The answer has to surely be that we as able people do not afford such issues enough importance. We are able to push those concerns aside, assigning them to the 'too-hard-basket' and just busy ourselves with the here and now. Or we assume that it will cost too much to make any meaningful change.
Well, I will let you in on a little secret. It actually doesn't cost that much at all. And will cost even less if every person accepted some responsibility for these forgotten innocents. Even a small donation can be the difference between life and death for a child in a developing or war-torn country.
So, how about it? Why don't you make a difference to the life of a child today? A simple google search will give you myriad of pathways to choose from. But I'm going to put in a plug for one particular pathway that I truly value, one which I have seen the fruits of in a very moving presentation some time ago now.
Mahboba's Promise it is called. It is a wonderful Australian non-profit voluntary organisation dedicated to the women and children of Afghanistan. It is all about improving the lives of these vulnerable people and equipping them with the skills and resources necessary for them to rebuild their lives. And you can even sponsor an orphan, ensuring they are fed, clothed, sheltered, educated and receive the medical care they need.
Go on then...
I know that Islam certainly holds the care of a child and especially that of an orphan as a high-ranking priority and one that will be rewarded most abundantly. It is mentioned in the Quran and Hadith countless times and there are many accounts of esteemed Muslims who have made great endeavours in this regard, both past and present.
So given that we have this consensus and we all agree that there is great satisfaction and possible reward in it, why are there still so many children that are unprotected? Why are there so many who are starving and homeless with no access to education? Why are there still children who are forced to work in barbaric conditions with no prospect of any change?
The answer has to surely be that we as able people do not afford such issues enough importance. We are able to push those concerns aside, assigning them to the 'too-hard-basket' and just busy ourselves with the here and now. Or we assume that it will cost too much to make any meaningful change.
Well, I will let you in on a little secret. It actually doesn't cost that much at all. And will cost even less if every person accepted some responsibility for these forgotten innocents. Even a small donation can be the difference between life and death for a child in a developing or war-torn country.
So, how about it? Why don't you make a difference to the life of a child today? A simple google search will give you myriad of pathways to choose from. But I'm going to put in a plug for one particular pathway that I truly value, one which I have seen the fruits of in a very moving presentation some time ago now.
Mahboba's Promise it is called. It is a wonderful Australian non-profit voluntary organisation dedicated to the women and children of Afghanistan. It is all about improving the lives of these vulnerable people and equipping them with the skills and resources necessary for them to rebuild their lives. And you can even sponsor an orphan, ensuring they are fed, clothed, sheltered, educated and receive the medical care they need.
Go on then...
