MY NEIGHBOURS CHILDREN || BY @amicablepeace || 20% to @teamg-nigeria

This day remind me of an experience I had many years ago while living with my uncle. For the sake of diplomacy I will not mention names or the area in question

It was one of the holidays and I had to spent it with my uncle and his beloved family. It was one of the happiest memory I had as a kid.

Unlike my village, they had tap water, electricity and good meal. I will watch the television till about 3am and yet not be satisfy. "This is a rare opportunity and I must utilize it" I will say.
In my village u will have to peep through the window before you can see half images of the actors in the movies...

I had almost wished vocation will last forever. I love life in the city. Somehow, I presumed that everyone in the city is living that comfortable...

Well, my presumption changed when I met our neighbor's children. They live in the house next to ours. Together with the other kids around the neighborhood, we will gather after morning chores to play together and tell stories of our glorious childhood. "Na there this my sharp mouth started o" 😂.

Even though I was from village, I still manage to lead the conversation in my local dialect... And they will all pay keen attention to my half truth and half lies stories.

But then I noticed something about our neighbor's children. There is just something different about them among the others kids. They look so scared and unfulfilled. There seem to be a problem that the other kids were comfortable with, which am not. They never contribute when we talk, and even when they laugh, you can notice how unfamiliar they are with laughter

I wanted to inquire from them but it will be embarrassing. So I waited till they had left. I asked my cousin who told me that they are simply poor.

Honestly I don't get it. How poor are they? . Most of the people in my village are financially incapacitated, but never timid like them.
What is that expression in their faces which being around their mates can't solve at least temporarily?

To further my investigation, I went to their home and confirm my suspicions. It was never poverty, it was domestic rejection.

It seems they lack the love and attention that every child deserve from home and from their loved ones, all in the name of poverty. No one talk to anyone in a calm and friendly manner. I sense anger and indignation from every member of that family... Indeed there was a home!

I recall this memory today, because we are celebrating the gift of children today.
I realize that there are still many homes like my neighbor's home today especially in this part of the world.

There are homes that the moment you see special plates, you know visitors are coming.

There are homes that even when chicken is killed (usually during festive periods) all the children gets is the legs, neck and head. They stand around the kitchen as beggars in their own homes while visitors that can betray you tomorrow come and have the choice meal.

There are homes where no one cares for afternoon meal. Everyone will have to fend for him or her self. And tomorrow when the children had develop the habit of stealing, we say we don't know where they learnt that from.

There are many homes today where the girls in the house never hear the words "I love you" from their parents or siblings. The first time she heard that, it came from a boy in the street who do not have her interest at heart. Then she may act unmoved for a while, yet she can't neglect the effect of that 3 letter words

There are many homes where children are afraid of saying the truth because they know that no one will believe them.
She will rather keep the "secret" of that adult who touched her breast and bought gifts to her so as to see her pants than telling daddy for fear of daddy's wrath and mother's misunderstanding. It's like a patient who is afraid to see a doctor lest the doctor mock her

There are homes where the boys never feel loved and appreciated. All they feel at home is forced compliance and ego sticking statements from their parents. Yet they go out and are treated as humans in the neighborhood. They will go to other homes and assist in all the domestic chores yet will rebel against the same work at home.
No wonder they always stay far away from home, and only comes back when its already dark.

There are many homes where, the need of the children are trivialized and they go to school feeling guilty and unloved.

The list can go on and on

The point is very simple. Homes are not just houses Its a place where mutual love and understanding dominates. Every child has the capacity of goodness in them as well as rebellious. It all depend on the one you unleash. No one runs away from an atmosphere of love and acceptance. Its a natural craving of every man

This is a message to every parents and siblings. The greatest asses of your life is family more than any other thing. The world will remember you tomorrow not by how many shops or cars or offices you have but the human legacy you are leaving behind. Pay keen attention to them.

Love your children. It is not enough to buy them clothes every Christmas, once in a while (if not weekly) spend time with them. Point out their strength and encourage them where they need to improve. Lead them in prayers and make them feel the impact of parenthood.