CHILDREN’S CORNER with PANIC CHILUFYA
TEACHING children good values at a young age helps them to develop their moral compass as they grow older and they rarely forget what they were taught. As adults sometimes, it is frustrating because we imagine that the children do not pay attention to the teachings at home; I know of a number of parents who have been pleasantly surprised to notice that their children actually learnt something although they pretended that they did not appreciate the teachings.
Most of us have heard of how the behaviour of a child varies when at home with the parents and when visiting with relatives or friends; it is like they are two different individuals. It is extremely important for parents to teach morals to their children that will help them transform and grow into responsible adults. As children grow and interact more with their peers and other people, their behaviour is a reflection of a home they come from – they are ambassadors of the people who brought them up.
Raising a child entails teaching the child to live by the Golden Rule. Before a child can “treat others like you want others to treat you,” they must learn how to identify and think through an action before doing it and to judge how the consequences of a particular action will affect not only the child but other people as well.
When a child spends the early years with the right role models and mentors most times no matter how persuasive their peers might be; they rarely depart from the early teachings. Such children develop an inner sense of rightness and well-being and are not easily misled no matter what ‘temptations’ they might encounter as they grow into adulthood.
It was therefore, very heartening to learn of teenagers who have formed an organisation to encourage their peers to embrace God in their lives if they are to avoid the temptations of early pregnancies, marriages and other vices that have ruined so many young lives.
Teen Authentic Phenomena Zambia comprises 45 teenagers who have come together to sensitise others about the dangers of indulging in risky behaviour which is likely to result in pregnancy, early marriage or putting their lives at risk by contracting some diseases.
Members of Teen AP Zambia believe that it is very important to embrace spirituality and God as way of combating vices and behaviours that have negatively affected so many young lives.
Teen AP Zambia vice-president Davison Kashanga said spirituality in the fight against teen pregnancies and marriages and other illicit activities was important.
He explained that some young people have adopted some behaviour that are alien to the Zambian culture such like engaging in sexual activities, drinking alcohol and smoking which is only destroying their health and future. Some children pick up these vices from their peers but there some of children if their upbringing was solid; they are unlikely to adopt such behaviour. They will always remember what they learnt at an early age as the adage says: Charity begins at home. That is why it is important to give child a solid foundation at an early age so that they do not depart from the teachings even when they face pressure from their peers when they are away from home.
Teen AP Zambia chairperson George Haruperi felt that vulnerable youths must be helped to overcome whatever challenges they might be going through so that they feel loved by society. He said by talking and mentoring youths who are in need of help, the group is able to motivate the troubled ones to help them overcome the situations that have potential to destroy their lives.
“I believe if the future of young people is messed up then the future of the nation is bleak. Correction must start when children are young and not when they have grown up,” he said.
Group coordinator Andela Paipi said Teen AP Zambia motivates young people on the need to have good morals through entertainment and dissemination positive information and messages.
Other than motivating others, the group also organise events and parties to raise funds which they use to help others less fortunate. This is because they do not have any source of funding. They have to use their initiatives to raise money; sometimes they use the pocket money they are by their parents to help young vulnerable people.
Hope many more young people will emulate the initiatives of Teen AP Zambia instead of indulging in behaviour and activities that are likely to ruin their lives.
Remember, children are our future, until next week, take care.