By Francis Chipalo
Epistles of Christ Network Foundation Executive Director, Ruth Machina says Zambians should stop referring to children without parents as orphans with the country being a “Christian Nation”.
Machina said in a Christian Nation, it should be everyone’s responsibility to care for the vulnerable and marginalized, especially children in the spirit of love your neighbor as thyself.
She said it is unfortunate that a number of children whose parents had died have continued suffering on the streets and villages with an “orphan” tag on their backs.
Machina said christians should reciprocate Jesus Christ by extending a helping hand to people in need, adding that taking care of children without their biological parents should be a community responsibility.
“Some of us grew up knowing that every adult is your parent and every child is yours to care for, but it is unfortunate that these days, we have children especially here in the villages who are suffering because they lost their biological parents. We need to step in as members of the community and offer a helping hand to such children,” Machina said in an interview.
“Yes, times are hard for everyone but surely we have extended family members who should at least ensure that such vulnerable children are taken care of. Let us stop referring to such children as orphans especially if we call ourselves as Christians. There should be no such thing as an orphan in a Christian Nation. The church should look at this,” she said.
Machina further called on members of the community to adopt a culture of helping one another especially in difficult times.
“I know some of these children on the streets do have parents where they come from but could be on the streets due to problems at home, so it is important to check on one another and see what we can do to help. Like I keep on saying, it is these little acts of kindness that we do which can make a huge difference in the lives of those around us. Let us adopt a culture of helping one another because what goes around surely does comes back around,” Machine added.
Epistles of Christ Network Foundation is an NGO based in Petauke district, Eastern Province and is focused on uplifting living standards of vulnerable members of the community especially children with various interventions in its community outreach programs.
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