How could our efforts on behalf of children be enough?

Last week I was privileged to listen to leaders and advocates across the world discuss "Hope Starts in the Cities: Building a Brighter Future for Migrant Children & Families Day by Day During the Pandemic" for the United Nations 60th Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD60). The priority theme of the 60th Session, promoted by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs is “inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.” (More info: http://ngo-migration.com)

I love that agenda. We have enough in the world, except we don't have enough logistics and will to distribute it fairly yet. These people are dedicated to working on that, so humanity can grow into a better future. What struck me though, is how short childhood is, and how even as this ambitious 2030 agenda is achieved, some children will "time out" and enter adulthood without the full knowledge and benefit of advocates giving their all to help them. As a change manager, I understand this has to do with awareness and desire not being strong enough across the world to get the job done. We're still too market driven rather than heart driven, as a world population.

Yet this group on Zoom, from Lord Mayors to social workers across the world, had dedicated their lives to serving young immigrants, fleeing war and hardship for just the hope of better lives, or life at all. Of course this is disruptive not only for them but for where they land. Yet local and global people invest their own livelihoods working for ways to welcome, feed and guarantee the futures of these children and their families.

This is beautiful. But it is never enough, still. Jesus is said to have reflected, "the poor ye always have with you." Well, he lived 2000 years ago, before technology came within spitting distance of solving "the last mile" even in tiny corners of the world. I think the main thing lacking now is our will, not our way. I want our child immigrants, learning by experience that life is limited, that maybe it really doesn't have to be anymore.

As I listened to the group's success stories and setbacks of working with immigrant children in schools and communities, I wondered what it would mean to the children to know that somewhere, out there, people cared deeply about their future. Regardless of limitations they may experience, they have - and will grow into more - personal power. If we can get nothing else to them, please let us get them the hope that others are working on their behalf.That we care. That we believe in them, as they grow.

As I listened to the advocate's stories, I wrote a poem:

Dear Young Ones

In the camp, on the street, wandering
Behind the barred door, locked in
Across the world we spend our love on you:
Never enough, still

As you suffer and wonder, play and pray
Across the world, people dedicate their days, their lives
Trying to reach you:
Never enough, still

Yet you should know
Inspired by your existence
They give their all - and will never give up:
Never enough, still

As a spark can set a great blaze
May your heart begin to warm.
Remember when there is
Never enough, still…

You are enough to fire millions of hearts every day.

​