Ok, by now you have probably heard this old proverb thousands of times. “It takes a village to raise a child.” A proverb stemming from Africa, but with similar sayings found across the world. It’s likely this statement came about during a different time in human history. A time when humans still banded together and divided work duties amongst different families. When men would go out hunting and women gathering, while some stayed behind to watch the children. In early human history it really did take a village to raise a child. To protect them from harm, teach them right from wrong and protect and ensure prosperity for their village.
In today’s society, we are becoming more secluded from our neighbors. Front yards are becoming smaller and smaller while fences grow taller. It seems that America’s growing “village” is simultaneously becoming more isolated. Have you ever wondered if this old proverb still applies to our culture in today’s society? Parents are fighting for more and more freedom to raise their kids independently while society is trying to hold on to the rules that have promoted communal propagation for centuries. In a village like this – what happens to children who don’t have parents?
July 26 is Parent’s Day, celebrating the people who play the most important role in raising a child. When biological parents are no longer able to take care of their child, there is a village of people, foster and adoptive parents ready to take on this important role. In Uganda, the children in our schools are raised by a village of people including the nuns and priests who teach and take care of the students; local villagers who volunteer at the school; and people like you and me, from a global village of people willing to give time and money to help support these children’s upbringing.
If you think the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” no longer applies… Think again. While we may be losing contact with our immediate neighbors, there are still many people out there with the heart to give to strangers they’ve never met. Modern technology has connected human beings in other countries in ways we never could have expected even a few short years ago, that help make this possible. The villages that once helped raise our children are now expanding further than we ever could have imagined.
With Peace and Love,
Cristen
