Windshield Cleaners, Street Boys, Rich Boys,Children of the Same Father

Windshield cleaners, street boys and rich boys are all children of the same Father.He created them all and blew the breath of life in each and everyone of them.This is the sacred principle on which our very existence is based,but the realities of our society defy this principle and the democratic principles of liberty,equality and justice .Thus the social phenomenon of the windshield cleaners.

The windshield cleaners form two groups: the ” street boys” who are under the age of 18  and are in law considered children ,and the adults. These “street boys windshield cleaners” are children ”at risk” and are in need of care and protection because they are neglected ,abused, abandoned , deprived of a stable life in a nurturing environment and above all deprived of an education that would render them productive members of the society.These” street boys windshield cleaners “suffer the most horrendous forms of emotional, psychological and sexual abuse.They are also the pawns in the hands of the hard core criminals who prey on their vulnerability. 

In law, these children are entitled to care and protection as prescribed by the Charter of Rights of the Child and supported by the Child Care and Protection Act of Jamaica.

To suggest that these children be given a T-shirt and some form of training to become better windshield cleaners shows a profound lack of respect for their rights as children of the land.

Is this a deliberate effort to keep them in the social mould where poverty has unfortunately placed them?Why the condescending and patronising offer of a T-shirt and some form of training that in essence serves to keep them down in their dysfunctional lifestyle? This solution is reminiscent of the attitude of the colonial masters towards their subjects. Give them a T-shirt, a few dollars, a treat at Christmas as long as they remain subserviant  and illiterate. This way, their services will always be available.They will never have the means to get out of their social condition and will continue to live clutched in the grip of poverty and hopelessness their rights as Jamaican children having been so recklessly trampled upon.Windshield cleaners today, beggars,drug pushers,gang members,dons in the garrisons tomorrow ,the cycle continues…

As children “at risk”they should have been apprehended by the C.D.A. Their cases should have been taken to court and above all their parents found and made to face their parental responsibilities.The C.D.A , the agency mandated to provide care and protection to children in need of care and protection did not face its responsibilities.The lack of residential facilities ,of staff and funds have ,over the years, hindered effective provisions for children at risk.

The Children’s Advocate responsible for the protection of the rights of all our children obviously did not apply enough pressure for the relevant authorities to take action on behalf of these children.

This revolting lack of interest in the welfare of our children” at risk” is the root cause of the arrest of the windshield cleaners.The windshield cleaners as children of the land have rights that should have been respected, at all cost,but alas this did not happen.The years have gone by and the “street boys windshield cleaners” are now “adult windshield cleaners”.Their dysfunctional childhood and teenage years have made of them criminals in some cases ,beggars and hustlers.Facing the responsibilities of “baby fathers” without any skill nor the upbringing to play the role they are now the dangerous ,utterly frustrated hustlers found at our street corners.Their behaviour is dangerous and unacceptable.Their removal by the police was necessary and inevitable.

The big question facing them and us as a people is what is the government doing to bring about meaningful changes in their lives.Has the Ministry of Youth formulated any programs that would offer literacy and skill training to these young men?Will the C.D.A apprehend the children ?will we as a people uproot our social prejudices and learn to respect all the children of this land as our children and put into practice the pricinples of true equality , fraternity and brotherhood.

Let us remember that from the smallest village to the biggest mansion each child is a link in the big chain that represents the Jamaican society.The strength of this chain lies in the strength of each link.Each one take one for a better Jamaica for a better world. The time is now.

Advertisement

~ by jahteecha on September 20, 2010.