Guide our youths in the right direction

 MANY of our children are made homeless, orphan­ed or abandoned by the continuous negli­gence of our government.

I am concerned about their future as they be­come innocent victims of our ignorance today.

They are not bad people and we have to improve their lot first.

As can be seen from day to day, homeless children loiter outside shops, bus depots and eating places, tugging at the sleeves of impatient pedestrians and lunging into cars to grab cameras, mobile phones, watches and handbags.

There are far too many children spending most of their time on the streets today, earning money here and there by begging, selling newspapers and goods in front of shops, etc.

The breakdown in law and order and the rise of urban crimes such as rapes and ethnic battles are the results of conti­nuous negligence. 

This is not the society’s fault and the government is to be blamed for this.

We, as custodians, need to plan in line with the so­cial, political and econo­mic changes to meet the needs.

We are responsible for that because PNG’s po­pulation is increasing rapidl­y and more than 50% of them consist of youths.

One of the national youth policy goals is im­proving the quality of young people’s lives.

How is the government doing to address this im­portant issue?

Do we have any plans for street children?

The whole process requires decisive, bureaucratic direction and strong, political leadership from our so-called leaders.

So, guide them well and let them feel that they are not alone, yet allow them to be independent at the same time.

Jack Atte Kapa

Dumun, Chimbu