The fabric of our society is under threat as the cries of innocent children left to fend for themselves grow louder across the Lango sub-region. During a deeply moving visit to the Ngetta Babies Home, the Agong me Lango, Her Royal Highness Margaret Odongo Okune, issued a powerful and urgent plea to the conscience of the community. Witnessing firsthand the tragic reality of infants who have been discarded by those meant to protect them, the Queen Mother expressed her profound distress over the skyrocketing cases of child abandonment that are currently staining the region.
This is not merely a social issue; it is a moral emergency that strikes at the very heart of our cultural identity. Her Royal Highness emphasized that the future of Lango depends entirely on how we treat our most vulnerable members. She spoke with passion and clarity, reminding every mother and father that a child is a sacred gift, not a burden to be thrown away when life becomes difficult. The Agong me Lango warned that turning our backs on these babies is a betrayal of our heritage and a direct threat to the stability of our families.
Beyond the responsibility of parents, the Queen Mother directed a firm call to action toward cultural leaders. She urged them to restore the traditional values of communal care and protection that once defined the Lango people. Leaders are expected to be the guardians of the weak, and their silence or inaction in the face of this crisis is no longer acceptable. The message was clear: we must move beyond words and implement real solutions to support struggling families before they reach the point of desperation.
Now is the time for every citizen to stand up and reclaim the dignity of the Lango sub-region. We cannot allow our children to be raised in institutions because their own kin have failed them. Let this royal alarm serve as a turning point. We must cultivate a culture of love, responsibility, and unwavering support for our children. Protecting an infant today ensures a stronger, more compassionate, and prosperous community tomorrow. The time to act is not next year or next month, but right now.