I would wish to revisit this post because the comment posted in response made me realize that the point I was trying to make did not quite go through.
The concept of SOS is based on four principles; the SOS mother, the SOS brothers and sisters, the SOS house and the SOS village. See the SOS mission as described below on the SOS organization’s site.
Each child needs a mother, and grows up most naturally with brothers and sisters, in their own house, within a supportive village environment.
Our SOS villages are made up of a number of houses as we all know. It is for this reason that I say my neighbor is also my brother since my neighbor’s house is in fact another SOS house. So you see, my brother and my neighbor are not two different things.
I agree that within the SOS community we do not emphasis enough that we are all brothers and sisters and when we do we do not explain it well enough, or even early enough to avoid all the pitfalls that follow when the children in the village forget that they are brothers and sisters.
On the other hand, I believe actions speak louder than words. So we as the older brothers and sisters should set a good example to the younger ones and display this brother-sister concept through our actions. For example, going back to the village to solicit the young children for sexual favors is a no-no. Such a relationship should not be encouraged, or even conceived. Imagine what danger an unwilling child may be in if one older child forces their attention on them? Remember that it is very easy for the older children to move in and out of the village without raising any suspicion. In the same way, it will be very easy to even rape a child. I know this is a worst-case scenario but hey, information never killed anyone.
The question today is, will we encourage the SOS children to see each other as brothers and sisters, or will we ignore this relation and in the process become the greatest danger to those who call us and see us as their big brothers and sisters?
Our SOS villages are made up of a number of houses as we all know. It is for this reason that I say my neighbor is also my brother since my neighbor’s house is in fact another SOS house. So you see, my brother and my neighbor are not two different things.
I agree that within the SOS community we do not emphasis enough that we are all brothers and sisters and when we do we do not explain it well enough, or even early enough to avoid all the pitfalls that follow when the children in the village forget that they are brothers and sisters.
On the other hand, I believe actions speak louder than words. So we as the older brothers and sisters should set a good example to the younger ones and display this brother-sister concept through our actions. For example, going back to the village to solicit the young children for sexual favors is a no-no. Such a relationship should not be encouraged, or even conceived. Imagine what danger an unwilling child may be in if one older child forces their attention on them? Remember that it is very easy for the older children to move in and out of the village without raising any suspicion. In the same way, it will be very easy to even rape a child. I know this is a worst-case scenario but hey, information never killed anyone.
The question today is, will we encourage the SOS children to see each other as brothers and sisters, or will we ignore this relation and in the process become the greatest danger to those who call us and see us as their big brothers and sisters?
5 comments:
hi guys, what an interesting topic, personally i think that the thought of intermarriage within the same village or worse still from the same house should not be given a second thought, i think its one of the worst mistakes that an sos child can do, take a good example on the sos nairobi intermarriages that have taken place is there any one of them that one can admire? I don't think so, I think we should consider ourselves as brothers and sisters or if not so cousins. Attimes i place sos just like a home setting in our rural homes where you find relatives living near each other surely this guys are not allowed to intermarry for obvious reasons.For the ones who have already married we cannot do much about it but lets all try to avoid this mess. it leaves the other family members confused and creates even hatred. God bless you all
My brother, my neighbour:part two and part one are two different issues. the first part tried to address the issues of who are my brothers and sisters, and the second one is about sexual relations. my take is that both are right and logically explained, but i can say its illogical to condemn something based on beliefs, since we all know that beliefs are challengable. I think all am trying to say is that sexual relations should not be encouraged at whatever cost and an alternative must always be in place. Why is it happening around SOS adults? is it because they are not fully empowered to face the challenges of the 'bigger world' or is it because its not an issue that has been addressed seriously? am sure that most of us get disgusted or even disgraced by these issues but what would be the ideal way of dealing with it?
am posing to many questions than answers!
However, am not for the sexual relations at all cost, but am just sad that i have no clear alternatives. in the senses of being unrealisitc in looking at the issues of family orientation, the way we treat each amonst the siblings, or even the mother? do you guys remember this saying " mimi si wenu" it holds alot of conotations and unless one is enlightened differently it becomes the undelying issues to be tackled
I feel that the issues discussed in part two are related in the sense that one stems from another. The reason being, if i feel someone is a brother or a sister to me, there is no way i will have, or encourage any sexual activities.
If encouraging children to see each other as brothers and sisters doesn't work, then maybe someone should give more pointers on what can be done, how it can be done etc.
My duty here is to point out the issues as I view them.
Thanks for thinking of discussing the above. An sos sis or bro should b treated as a real brother or sister if you are staying or came from the same house just coz we live(d) under one roof and shared a mother as such. Those from other houses should be looked at as cousins hence we should not have relationships and marriages encouraged that is incest!
AM GETTING WORRIED THAT THIS BLOG IS NOW GOING DOWN! IS IT COZ OF WORLD CUP! BUT THAT COULDNT BE THE REASON YOU HAVENT POSTED ANYHTING FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS! MAYBE I COULD HELP!
CONCERNED FRIEND
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