We must protect our children

Nov 06, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The recent drowning of 50-year-old Gavin Moses and his 13-year-old niece, Yasha Prince, who died as a result of drowning while swimming at the Rockstone Fish Festival at approximately 16:30 hrs on Sunday, October 29 was a real tragedy that could have been avoided.
The News Room reported: ‘’Moses along with other relatives hired a private boat to transport them to the Golden Beach, just minutes away from the main event area, to indulge in swimming.
It was during this time, that the teenager and two cousins, including Thalia Clarke, experienced difficulty in navigating through the deep waters.’’
It’s important to note that this teen’s uncle hired a private boat to take them to the Golden Beach for swimming where they died. This teen’s parents, I will assume, went ahead of them or stayed behind. This uncle who died was very ignorant of the depths of the water and he himself was not a proper swimmer so why put these kids to swim into an unknown river or creek of tremendous depths?
It’s very sad of all these untimely deaths of very young people in our country by accidents and suicides and drowning.
Yasha Prince could have been a next doctor or lawyer or a teacher but her life was snuffed out all because of a very ignorant and stupid uncle. I am calling on parents to avoid sending their children out on picnics with uncles, aunts, or family friends, unless they are present there.
Then I see lots of accidents by speeding. Drunk-driving parents buy vehicles for their children to kill them before their time.
I also believe all these resorts like Rockstone, Lake Mainstay, Splashmins, #63 Beach and even swimming pools should be well equipped with life guards on ground and with boats patrolling the waters with surveillance cameras linked to an office where life guards can see a danger or we will have more drowning of this nature.
I guess we are a very backward nation when it comes to technology but Minister Dominic Gaskin was correct to have these life guards in place or he should close these places that don’t meet the government requirements.
I went to a few of these places. I discovered that the bottom of these creeks has sand that can wear away into constant depths or trap your feet like a sucksand. Below, it’s very dangerous for children and adults to swim there. It gets scary when the water level rises.
I am calling on parents to be more protective of their children. I see little kids ride big bicycles to go buy goods at shops and many of them die by accident.
There are too many irresponsible parents in our nation today who care less about their children. Today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders so we must protect them from dangers. Our teachers too and church leaders must be actively involved in protecting our children from dangers such as drinking, smoking, drugs, suicide, depression, and low self-esteem .Young people like adventure. Many will not even know how dangerous a simple lake or creek can be; even climbing trees or go biking.
Youths are the back bone of the nation. They can change the future of the society with their wellbeing and academic achievements.
I am calling on all parents, guardians and those responsible to protect our youths. Gandhi said,’’ We must become the change we want to see.’’
Let’s work together to transform the lives of our youths by watching over them daily by inculcating in them moral and spiritual values to be better citizens of our nation.
Yours truly,
Rev.Gideon Cecil

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