Poverty eradication day: ‘Race for Survival’ in Sanghar, Lahore, Islamabad

Save the Children provincial manager says they had achieved their goal of enlightening people on infant mortality

SANGHAR:

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty saw nearly 1,600 children participating in a marathon relay race across three cities - Sanghar, Lahore and Islamabad - organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Save the Children.

The day is celebrated across the world on October 17. The ‘Race for Survival’, as it was called, was organised to promote awareness about the Millennium Development Goal IV. The goal suggests that the ever-increasing infant mortality rate, which continues to grow because of preventable causes and poverty, and the inability to afford necessary vaccinations and healthcare facilities, can and should be reduced.



The race in Sanghar started at 10am with two teams: blue and green. Each team comprised 60 students. Out of the total 120 children, 50 were females. The participating children were given shoes, socks, T-shirts and caps free-of-charge while their families saw them sprint towards the finish line. The blue team crossed the line first to grab the winner’s trophy.

Save the Children provincial manager Iqbal Detho said that they had achieved their goal of enlightening people on the neglected issue of infant mortality through the event.

“Nearly 18,000 children die every day,” he said. “Today’s race was for the children to show solidarity against infant mortality caused by malnutrition and unavailability of proper healthcare. Today, these children have sent a message to the world that they should not be forgotten.”

Detho added that they do not lack funding or monetary power. “What we do lack, however, is the intention to do something for these little angels,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the government to complete the mission that we, as NGOs, have started.”

On this occasion, Sanghar additional deputy commissioner Salik Mirza commended the efforts of Save the Children. “Save the Children has done what all of us should be doing, that is, fighting for the rights of children. Their education, health and other needs are a responsibility of the parents but the government needs to strengthen the system so that parents can survive in it.”

During their speeches, the children demanded an equal distribution of wealth and recreational parks and playgrounds to help improve their physical education. They also demanded health facilities from the government for all children of their age so that they live longer and help the country prosper.

Parents also welcomed the approach of the organisation. They appreciated their ‘inspirational’ efforts ‘which made them realise the gravity of this issue.”

Shahdadpur College physical education director Muhammad Shahbaz Bajwa said that they trained the children for the race by teaching them how to warm up and acquainting them with the rules and regulations of the race.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2014.