EDITOR — THE number of children looking for hand-outs on the streets of Harare is disturbing.
Some of the children are very young and bright, but they end up doing some things they are not supposed to.
Some parents send their children with small papers (forms) to beg for food and money at intersections.
In other disturbing cases, parents leave their children at market places, exposing them to thieves.
Sexual abuse against children is also on the rise.
Drug abuse has also been on the rise, especially to vulnerable boys and girls.
In the eyes of ordinary Zimbabweans, these children have lost the care they deserve.
People are not taking any action.
In the past elders banked on the philosophy; ‘my child is your child’, meaning that everyone had the responsibility to take care of each other’s child.
It was the world of love and peace we always sing about in our national anthem.
Nowadays, people are after money and they no longer value their God-given off-springs.
We are in distressing financial conditions, but parents and guardians should not leave their children vulnerable to the evils of this world.
Such uncaring parents must be brought to book.
Stiff sentences must be passed on those who abuse children.
President Robert Mugabe made it clear at his birthday celebrations in Masvingo in February that those who abuse children must be severely punished.
Children are our future and they need our support.

Thandeka Tshuma
Harare