It Takes a Village to Raise a Child & Help Streetworkers

I had a very interesting conversation with a lady this morning who works with streetworkers and women who have been sexually exploited. She was talking about how, when they are trying to help someone get off the streets, they  to set up a support network or community around them - then she made the comment "You know what they say... it takes a village!"

I started talking with her about the process we have been undergoing with Kenzie and that precipitated a conversation about community. Both of us have noticed that throughout our interactions, we have seen a rising sense of discontent with the way we are, as a society.

With our fast-paced, busy lives we have lost something. We have our privacy, we have our rights closely protected. But somewhere along the line we have lost a sense of community. Of being responsible for each other. Of being our brother's keeper.

Everyone is so concerned about the good old MYOB, that they have abdicated all responsibility. We drive into our our garages without stopping to say hi to our neighbours, we close the door and walk into our attached homes, keep our kids carefully sequestered in fenced and safe backyard, out of the prying eyes of  possible pervs. We don't know the people living next door to us and we certainly don't know the people down the block.

You hear stories of old people dying by themselves and no one noticing for weeks or months because they were not in contact with anyone. People mind their own business when an adult, who appears to be a parent, disciplines a child in public (not that there is anything wrong with that, but you know what I mean lol!) People don't want to get involved. They don't want to butt in. It is none of their business.

Does anyone else remember the sinking sensation in your stomach when you were a teenager and your neighbour saw you out doing something you weren't supposed to be doing? You knew darned well it would get back to your parents - and probably before you got home!

We have lost something. A sense of inter-connectedness. A sense of being responsible for each other. Is it too late to turn back?

What Would You Do? video