Let’s make a better place for the children to enjoy and the elderly to unwind

On the 20th of November each year, children around the world are celebrated for their existence and importance to society. However, here in Sri Lanka, the day falls on the first day of October. While attention to their well-being should not be limited to a day let us take a moment to discuss what we can do to make their lives better. 

Who exactly do we classify as children and why is a day dedicated to them important? According to UNICEF, any person under the age of 18 is considered a child. Not many seem to know but almost all countries have agreed to the Convention on the Rights of Child which promises to protect children’s rights. Children are vulnerable and in need of constant help. Therefore, it’s essential we treat them with love and guide them appropriately.  

The theme for this year’s Children’s Day is,” Investing in our children means investing in our future.” Why? Because with time, they’re going to grow up and take over the world so it’s important we make them into responsible adults who will walk the talk. 

Unfortunately, the majority of children around the globe are deprived of their rights. The convention by UNICEF clearly states that children have the right to the best health care possible, clean water to drink, healthy food, and a clean and safe environment to live in. The convention ensures that children get the best of everything with no discrimination and no hate directed. Sad to say, only a handful of children are aware of this. If they’re deprived of any of their rights, they have the right to demand! 

Let’s take our country for example. Even though education is one of children’s utmost priorities, it has become a burden to them. From the day they enter pre-school till they pass out from school, they’re constantly being subjected to immense pressure. Exams one after another with extreme competition attached to them make their lives miserable. Of course, being educated can be matched to a jewel that can be adorned with pride, but it must be noted that it’s okay to have fun once in a while. Kids these days, are either glued to their electronic media or busy having their nose in books. They hardly ever socialize in real life and they ultimately end up having more friends online.

It’s good they’re given the freedom to explore and learn new and exciting things after all right to have education is a must but this should not happen at the expense of another right. Yes, that’s true. The right to rest, relax, play, and take part in cultural and creative activities is also part of the convention. 

Just as we would add different spices to balance out and bring the best flavour to a dish providing and caring for a child should be done the same way. Make sure they receive what’s best for them but at the same time, they get to enjoy their lives as children since you become a child only once.

Elders are just as important as children. Generally, those who above the age of 65 are considered elderly. As the saying goes,reaching elderhood is more or less similar to reaching childhood. Like children, the elderly too become helpless. They’d constantly crave love, warmth, and care. It’s necessary to know now more than ever why the elderly and the issues surrounding them must be taken seriously because in another few years or so nearly 20% of global population is set to be composed of elderly. 

With the increase in the aging of the population, the workforce is set to be reduced drastically. The elderly are retired and they become dependent on their loved ones. This becomes not only a burden to their families but to the overall economy of the country. But is it fair to make that as an excuse and not treat them well? Not. They were once responsible for being a major part of the economy and made up more than half of the workforce. Therefore, the least we could do is make sure they live with no regrets for whatever time is left. 

With aging, another major issue that pops up is health. Elderly are prone to be down with both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. They often get subjected to complications that at times make them debilitated and even worse bed bound. Ageing is something we cannot help but preventing them from getting the diseases is. The health sector and families of the elderly have a huge role to play in it. Creating favorable health-related policies, health education, conducting screening programs, and health camps to identify the elderly in the early stages of their illnesses and proper medication practices are some of the steps that could be followed to tackle these issues. These steps and other such are nicely being followed by countries like Japan where the proportion of elderly is the highest in the world. 

Merely, having a day dedicated to them just to celebrate their existence won’t do them justice if we don’t address their issues and provide them with a life that’s worth living. On this very day, let’s have this moment to remind ourselves to speak to them kindly, attend to their health needs, and make sure they’re well taken care of!

Celebrating Children and Elders would only be of use if the issues surrounding them are addressed and if they are guaranteed a life they could enjoy.

Written by: Rtr. Inuri Hettiarachchi

Graphic design by: Rtr. Nuwani Gamage