Back then, when I was still very young, I, my bro and some kids do hawk on the highways, at mechanic workshops, and all, that's how we were raised, you see very young girls hawking, some doing baby sitting even before the age of ten. That's how life is for us, that's how we navigate life and survive, should that be reported as child what....we were making a living, helping our parents and all.
There were times of laughter, where we smile, joke and bind like family that we are, there are times I would have slept off outside and my dad will come carry me in, most times I do wake up, jut won't let him know, I love the way he carries me, there are some odd, bitter times too, but still, it was home.
I dom really know much about child service, have heard about it, but I doubt if it's working that well in my country if at all there is. I believe this institutions were created to be like a savior to kids, to give them voice and guard them.
But, I wonder if the system atimes forget that this children are more than just kids, they are souls firmly rooted in family, culture and all, from my own point of view, I don't see why they should just remove a child from a home because the parent raised their voice at them or because of a report of discipline as abuse.
I know there are terrible home's, home where violence and abuse are the bedrocks, and for such a home, am not against intervention. But then, there are such homes that are still struggling, they shout on kids not out of spite or hatez they discipline thier kids and all, they are imperfect, removing a kid in such a home could tear it apart, they only needed to be supported and educated on certain things.
There was this widow staying very close to my brother apartment at Surulere, Lagos, she was living with her three kids in what we call...face me I face you, just a single room, she had a son about thirteen who was taken to a government facility for rehabilitation, what happened? The boy lost his father a few says aago and decided to go to school, maybe that would help him overcome the loss and play with his friends, but on getting to school, one of the guys teased him and he got angry, he acted up and beat this guy out of anger, same happened the following day, and the next thing he was reported and taken away..
Tell me, at that point in time, is that fair to this widow, is that what she needs, did they investigate the reason as to why he had to act up and do that, this boy just most his dad, what he needed was therapy, love, some soothing words, and the mother needed help.
Emotional scars can last way longer, this child service shouldn't just remove kids, they should rather ask questions, the right ones and not quick to judge, because removing a child away isn't always the best first step.
If a child feels he's being removed from among his/her families, it has effects on them, even if the love shown to them at home is flawed, they still kind of wanted it, so what can be done, what better way can we go about....we should equip parents, fund support groups, mentor young parents, do parenting workshops, conduct seminars, lecture parents and all, let it not always be about punishment, but more about partnership and the goal shouldn't just be saving this kid's, but helping families grow healthier, together.
Sometimes, in the name of protection, we tend to build high walls that doesn't even give love a chance. We don’t want a society of children raised in institutions, wondering why their parents, families didn’t fight for them. I am not saying child service is bad neither is it the/an enemy, am just saying they should constantly check themselves to see what they can improve on, what they should let go and what they should do better.
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