The dreams of an African child… FAMILY
What does an African child dream about?
We will find out in this new column, by Xaverian missionary Father Oliviero Ferro
And when we understand that dreams (but not rights and possibilities) are the same as those of our children, it will be time to wake up and perform works of mercy.
Because through them, an African child (and others) will be able to live in the joy of being able to dream of something that can become possible
For Africans, family is everything.
Those who are alone are as good as dead.
Therefore, it is important that when a child is born, he is welcomed by the family, accepted and recognized by the father.
He must feel that he has an important place in everyone’s heart.
He daydreams, although he will slowly realize that it is not always easy to live in an extended family, like in Africa.
He is not alone. There are many of you, and everyone has their own needs, desires, and requirements.
However, if you feel you are in a family, you are no longer alone. You know that you can count on someone, that you will not be abandoned.
Wherever you go, there will be some member of your family who will be interested in you.
But in a family it is not enough just to live. Everyone will have to take responsibility.
Even if you are small, you have to do your part. Not just play or go to school or eat. You have to start learning to work, maybe by going with mom to the fields or doing small services for the family.
Otherwise, you risk being kicked out, as a useless person.
Certainly, there are hierarchies to be respected. The men always have first place and the child…always last.
Just observe when eating. Children are left with the crumbs. They make do, hoping that next time there will be something more. And they share it together.
One scene that has always remained in my eyes and that my mother also saw, when she came to Africa, is seeing children who had been given candy. One took out the card and started licking it and then passed it to another. In short, they shared it without any problem.
To be speechless.
On the child’s part there is always respect for the father who recognized him and brought him into the family.
Not always, it must be said, the father feels responsible for the children. But this happens just about everywhere.
Source
Image
- Photo by Fr. Giovanni Piumatti
- Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni