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Desi News Corp - Desi News - July 2009 - Index

WHAT DO CHILDREN REALLY NEED?
By Arley-Ann Zekveld
We live in a world today where children are often
considered to be a burden. Yes, we’re happy to have
them, but pressures make us anxious.
So many mothers feel the pressure to work outside of the
home. They love their children, but the bills need to be paid.
At the same time, many feel the culture’s pressure to be
supermom – a combination of a career woman and a stayat-home
mom.
What happens to young children in such a scenario? If
grandparents or other relatives are not available to care for
these young ones, there’s a dilemma: Do I work and send
my kids to daycare or do I stay home with them until it’s time
for them to attend school?
On top of those pressures, government agencies are eager
to implement full-day kindergarten from ages 3-5 years.
My question is: Do children really need this? Do they need
to be sent out of the home at the earliest age possible? Is
the public school system – daycare and kindergarten – really
the best care possible for the children? In my view, absolutely
not. Children are dependants. They need mother and father,
and the security of their own families. Mothers are natural
nurturers, and when a child spends his/her early years at
home, he/she is growing and developing, learning and
preparing in a stable environment so that he/she is ready for
school when that time comes.
The Holy Bible tells us that “children are a heritage from
the Lord.” That means we invest in our children. If you were to
invest in something, wouldn’t you desire to be involved in the
process? The pressures of government, the pressures of the
culture, the pressures to work in order to gain all the comforts
of life are there. But what is more important than your children?
Once the children are in school, it is important that they
continue to have good influences on their lives. That’s what
Hope Centre provides. We have children’s classes for ages
4-13, May and June, and September through November on
Saturdays. There are also classes each day, for a week at a
time during March Break and for two weeks in the summer.
These classes include stories, songs, activities, crafts, snacks.
For more information, please call Hope Centre at 416-740-
0543 or 416-740-0172. Our summer classes begin on July 6.
Christ, Our Hope,
An Anchor for the Soul,
Firm and Secure
Whatever the problem,
there’s Hope.
The Hope Centre is open daily Mondays
through Saturdays, 9 am to 12 pm or by
appointment at any time. We are open for
hospitality, prayer, spiritual help and to
assist you in any questions you may have.
For listing of activities,
please call us. Service is
FREE. So is the chai.
FREE FUN FOR KIDS!
IN BRAMPTON
Ebenezer Hall, Gore Road, Brampton
4-12 years. Join us for stories, singing,
crafts, Bible reading and fun!
Call 416-740-0543 for details.
FREE BIBLE!
Reverend
Tony ony Zekveld
I’d like to receive a FREE COPY of the Bible.
Name......................................................
Mailing Address.......................................
The Hope Centre, 1620 Albion Road, Suite 312, Etobicoke, Ontario M9V 4B4. 416-740-0543.
HOPE CENTRE
July 2009 Desi News 43