Children Feeling

I learned a lesson last week. To many, it means so petty but to some few it is so damaging.

Under the Child Friendly City Initiative, we supposed to interview some child candidates last Saturday. The session has to cancel due to lack of response. Many children have other engagement and preferred to be interviewed next date available. However, two girls agreed to come. My staff managed to call those involved and informed them about the cancellation except both the girls. Their phone were not contactable and as the last resort, voice mail was recorded informing the news. Some how rather the message was not through and the girls turned themselves up for interview. They felt disappointed. so do me and others for the breaking down of communication. Some have asked us to issue an official apologies.

The argument is we should treat the children with care and promote atmosphere of welcoming them to participate and contribute towards making PJ a Child Friendly City. If we do not accord them right equity, they will feel on inferior of working under the adult instead of working along the adult. In other word, to respect them as equal partners.

It makes sense. Many of the time, we tend to treat children, the segment of community that need protection and guidance for which many future actions and directions have been for them without their participation. We tend to presume they like this and that or they should do this or not to do that. Very little efforts are spent to consult the children, or ignore their view even early consultation was made. I believe this is the basis instinct of fatherhood or motherhood of adult in protecting the children. Perhaps also the generational and expectation gaps.

In facing the challenges of the days, many social ills involving children and youth cannot be resolved without involving the stakeholders themselves. We should, therefore listen passion, understand deeply, act accordingly and embrace the children thoroughly or else risk of losing the children trust on us. The incident, if not handle with care will bring damage to the yet established Child Council.

Thereby, I have no objection for saying SORRY if necessary and the aggravated parties feel more comfortable.