Clergy calls for global day of prayer for street children; recommends three-prong measure

A clergy has suggested that the annual International Day for Street Children observed on April 12 by the United Nations be supported with a global day of prayers for the spiritual survival of the vulnerable children.

Pastor James John said this on Sunday April 16 during a thanksgiving service to commemorate the day held at the Gospel Deliverance International Ministry in Calabar, Cross River State.

John who is the lead pastor in his sermon titled “GOD HAS NOT YET FINISHED WITH YOU” said the street children derogatorily referred to as Skolombo, street urchins, thieves, prostitutes, witches or wizards et cetera should not be despised by the privilaged of the society quoting from 1st Corinthians 1:27,28 “But GOD chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; GOD chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. GOD chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not , to nullify the things that are”.

Again referencing 1st Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ears heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” he told the congregation that it is the invisible hand of God that has protected the street children from the harsh outdoor environment despite their daily exposure.

He used the occasion to acknowledge the efforts of some organizations like the May and Frank Akpo Youth and Children Development Foundation (MFAF) who have shifted the narrative from pity on the street children by providing the ritual food and clothing on April 12th to a more sustainable palliative of schooling and quartering the street children in Calabar which has facilitated their evacuation from the streets.

Pastor John acknowledge that the phenomenon requires drastic effort to curb the trend as most of the street children are victims of divorced marriages, wars, vindictive attitudes of step-parents among other remote reasons. He suggested a three prone approach – spiritual approach (prayers), services of psychologists for counseling and services of sociologists for re-integration into the society as panacea to reversing the worrisome trend.

The International Day for street children is an annual event commemorated on April 12 to acknowledge the strength and resilience of the street children around the world and the day is aimed at providing a voice for the vulnerable children on the streets and preventing the constant disregard of their rights as well as providing an opportunity for Human Rights Organisations to spread awareness about the plight of street children all over the world with 2023 themed: “KEEPING STREET CHILDREN CONNECTED CHILDREN SAFE.”

And fielding questions from a LENS Reporter after the event, he concluded by calling on the Federal, State, Local Government, corporate, wealthy individuals, churches, Faith-based organisations and other relevant agencies to adopt proactive measures in tackling the menace of street children in the country.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)