Dear Editor,

We often sing the famous lyrics of the late Whitney Houston “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way,” and it is a tune I have sung for many years, even to my own kids. However, I have come to one conclusion. The Grinch has stolen the future of our kids. Who is Grinch? The grinch is us, the adults, the people who should be clearing a path for our youth to see ahead; guiding them and most importantly leading by example.

We cannot say we believe the children are our future when we are not creating a future for them to live in. We make it hard for them to even help themselves aspire and achieve simple goals. We implement unrealistic community programmes that will not yield much success; one or two will get a job or a scholarship, but what happens to the majority? We give them a “cerfitikit” and tell them job well done, the cameras roll and take pictures and when all is done they go back to sitting on the corner and “hustle” while certificates on their dressers ‘grow’ dust.

If we do not sort out our youth right away we are doomed. They are giving up and are fighting to gurantee a good solid future. It is hard for them to further their education because it is too expensive; it is hard for them to utilise simple skills to get employment. We need more programmes to help the ones who are not academically inclined and more assistance for those who need to acquire tertiary, and for those who have battled to get a degree they need a job.

The business of the youth is urgent, and if we do not address it immediately I fear to grow old in my own country when these youths become adults. Let us stop cheating the children and give them the future they deserve.

Dee Hunt

St Catherine

BeDeeInspired@gmail.com