THE NEXT STEP

As a species, we have seen our fair share of bad days. From extinction level natural disasters, to self created wars and pandemics all through time.
However, we have always survived and broken free from the shackles that once brought us to our knees.
Today, the challenge is the corona virus. In particular, the one discovered in December 2019 hence the alias COVID 19.
So much has been lost to this pandemic, the lives of family, friends, relatives and people we admired. Our freedoms, our lifestyles, our jobs and to many, basic livelihood.
In Uganda, we have been once again thrust into a lockdown. For the simple reason of reducing the spread of the deadly virus by moving carriers. Devastating as it is, we must adopt to this situation. For adults, alternate sources of income must be sought for, discovered and maximised to achieve sustenance. For parents there is more, the burden isn’t just financial. Our children’s growth has been dealt a blow and will need closer attention on an emotional level.
Their education collectively has been stunted and yet learning must continue because physical growth doesn’t stop. With the time you have now, teach them the basics. Personal finance, Communication skills, home management and the law of their land.
To the youth of Uganda, I tell you that your hopes and dreams are not dead! Instead you must maneuver the obstacle at hand. The information age has given you the gift of near unlimited knowledge of humanity’s achievements, use the internet to search, to discover, to learn. Use it to carve a new path not just for Uganda but humanity and Earth as a whole. But, don’t forget to start with the basics. Start from home, help your mother and father. Learn responsibility and accountability, develop a sense of community, develop discipline for one who has no discipline is a slave to their passions and desires.
And finally, as a people we must use this quarantine to reflect, to see the reality of our world and how we have been living in it. To objectively identify our flaws and our strengths. To spot our weaknesses and strategize on how to utilize our opportunities. But most of all to play our part in bringing this pandemic’s grip on our beloved Nation to an end.
Wear your mask when on the move, sanitize at all times and build your immune system with the prescribed guidelines from the health experts of the world.
MANIPLE DENZEL