Go not to the temple

Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God,
First fill your own house with the Fragrance of love...
Go not to the temple to light candles before the altar of God,
First remove the darkness of sin from your heart...
Go not to the temple to bow down your head in prayer,
First learn to bow in humility before your fellowmen...
Go not to the temple to pray on bended knees,
First bend down to lift someone who is down-trodden.
Go not to the temple to ask for forgiveness for your sins,
First forgive from your heart those who have sinned against you!(Rabindranath Tagore)

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON RURAL STUDENTS

Truly, "We are not in normal times". This has been the cliché to calm all fears and to strengthen us as we fight the one enemy known as "coronavirus". This enemy rose from an outbreak in Wuhan and now has become a devastating pandemic within a period of months. According to figures collated by John Hopkins University, the United States of America (USA) has, by far, the largest number of cases, with more than 85,000 fatalities, and also has the world's highest death toll. Followed by France, Italy, Spain and the UK - the worst-hit European countries - with all of them recording more than 25,000 deaths. Ghana has recorded over 5,000 cases with few deaths and a good number of recoveries.

With great efforts to curb and eradicate this enemy, analysis and reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) outlined some directive health protocols which could reduce the spread of the virus. Some of these directives were to; practice social distancing, avoid social gathering - in effect, closing schools and other institutions, and placing limits on traveling. Reports have proven that these directives and others are yielding positive results in controlling the spread, but have we thought of its implications on students in rural areas?

Most students study best on campus than at home. This is because of the availability of reading materials, and other resources. Students, because of the directives by which schools have been closed, are compelled to learn from home. This is a new culture creeping in and it has been very difficult for students especially those in the rural and the peri-urban areas who may not have access to books from a library and assistance of real teachers. This is making studies from such homes a burden for these students.

These same students living in the rural areas became alarmed when there was the introduction of online learning. Without access to electricity, the internet, smartphones and other technological devices, students have become handicapped. This has rather put stress on the students since they have no means of acquiring these devices and accessing the internet to study with their other colleagues.

In attempt to overcome the challenge of eLearning, students who chose to study on their own are gradually becoming independent in studies. The spirit of group work and collective studies is slowing down. If care is not taken, these students may gradually develop the habit of self-centeredness and extreme independence in studies.

As students become restless in prolonged waiting to return to school for studies, they begin to adopt and adapt to new lifestyles that might keep them busy or occupied. Female students who used to spend their vacation learning skills like baking or trading are now idle at home. Male students who used to play around with their other friends have their movements restricted. It is no doubt that in their youthful ages, they have very strong sexual desires. If not checked, these male students, having nothing else to do, might start exercising orgasms.

It could be observed that most students in the rural areas depend on relatives in the urban areas to support them. Such support often comes in the form of clothing, provisions, stationery, food, etc. These benefits have now reduced since there are limits on traveling and doing business. This is making life for the students very difficult.

Also, those families who took loans or sold properties to send their wards to school are living in despair. This is affecting their wards since their families now see them as burdens or the unfortunate ones in the family. These feelings of the students could lead to depression and other emotional, psychological and physical challenges with time.

In as much as the President strives to put these helpful measures in place to control the spread of the coronavirus, there is the need to look beyond and reach out to students in rural areas who are disadvantaged due to these laid-down measures.

Rev. Fr. Stephen Kofi Sakpaku

sonnichristus@yahoo.com

https://web.facebook.com/

The Power of touch
When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

Helping Others
Lending a helping hand to people can uplift their spirit especially during hard times. It also serves as an example for others to emulate. It emits positivity, fulfillment, happiness, and love to the people around you. When you help others, you will have a better understanding of why things happen and what we need to do to prevent them from happening again. You will find smiles on the faces of those whom you have helped. Their gratefulness and prayers of blessings are worth more than a million gems. You will realize that helping others is the most amazing feeling in the world.

War Situation
In a war situation, nobody asks anyone to stay indoors. You stay indoors by choice.  During a war, you don't insist on your freedom. You willingly give it up in exchange for survival. During a war, you don't complain of hunger. You bear hunger and pray that you live to eat again. During a war, you don't argue about opening your business. You close your shop and run for your life. During a war, you are thankful to God for seeing another day in the land of the living.
The world is currently in a state of war. A war without guns and bullets. A war without human soldiers. A war without borders. A war without cease-fire agreements. A war without sacred zones.
The army in this war is without mercy. It has no respect for persons. Its ambition has nothing to do with racial superiority and its only agenda is a harvest of death. It has bases in almost every country of the world. Its movement is not governed by any war convention or protocol. It is a law unto itself. It is Coronavirus/ COVID-19.
Thankfully, this army has a weakness and it can be defeated. It only requires our collective action, discipline and forbearance. COVID-19 cannot survive social and physical distancing. It bows before good personal hygiene. It is helpless when you take your destiny in your own hands by keeping them sanitized as often as possible.
Let's obey and follow the instructions of the authorities. Let's flatten the COVID-19 curve. Let's exercise patience. Let's be our brothers' keeper. In no time, we shall regain our freedom, enterprise and socializing. (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni)