children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
The Double-Edged Blade of Brilliance
The Double-Edged Blade of Brilliance There’s a kind of brilliance that shines too brightly—so sharp it dazzles and blinds, so quick it leaves others stumbling in its wake. We often idolize intelligence and wit, praising those who can outthink, outmaneuver, and out-speak anyone in the room. But there’s a hidden edge to that cleverness—a blade that, if not handled with care, cuts not just those around it, but the one who wields it.
By Kazi Mirajul Islamabout a year ago in Families
Behind the Smile: The Secret Life of a Trusted Stranger. Content Warning.
n a quiet neighborhood, there lived an old man named Mr. Rehman. He was kind, polite, and always smiling. Everyone called him “Uncle Rehman.” He used to be a librarian, and even after retirement, he still gave books to children. Every week, he would visit homes and gift a book to each child.
By Majeed Ullahabout a year ago in Families
Measles Outbreaks Are Rising: How Budget Cuts Are Putting Millions at Risk. AI-Generated.
The Measles Comeback: How Budget Cuts Are Fueling a Preventable Crisis Once thought to be on the brink of eradication, measles is staging a troubling comeback. The real danger in 2025 is not only the highly contagious virus itself but also the collapse of the global safety nets that once kept it at bay. This resurgence is a stark reminder that progress in public health is never permanent without consistent effort, investment, and vigilance. A Disease We Should've Left Behind Measles is far from a new or mysterious illness. It’s been around for centuries and has long been one of the most preventable infectious diseases, thanks to the development of a safe and highly effective vaccine in the 1960s. Global vaccination campaigns once dramatically reduced the burden of the disease—between 2000 and 2016, global measles deaths fell by over 80%, an extraordinary public health achievement that saved millions of lives. But recent years have seen that progress unravel. In 2023 alone, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 300,000 measles cases worldwide. Experts believe the actual numbers are far higher, especially in countries where healthcare infrastructure is weak, and reporting is inconsistent. What’s particularly alarming is the rise in cases in countries with previously high vaccination rates and strong public health systems. This signals a more profound breakdown—one that includes misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and, most crucially, budget cuts to vital health services. When the Bills Pile Up, So Do the Cases Fighting a measles outbreak requires more than just handing out vaccines. It’s an intensive, multi-pronged effort involving contact tracing, emergency immunization drives, public awareness campaigns, and in many cases, hospital care for severely affected individuals. All of this costs money—a lot of it. In high-income countries, the cost of containing a single measles outbreak can soar into the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. In low- and middle-income nations, even a modest outbreak can overwhelm already strained healthcare systems. Families bear the brunt through lost income, travel costs for care, and the emotional toll of illness or death. These costs are especially devastating in regions where healthcare isn’t publicly subsidized. Despite these clear risks, funding for measles prevention has declined significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global reallocation of health budgets. As governments scrambled to manage immediate crises, long-term public health initiatives like routine immunization were deprioritized. Major organizations like Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF have struggled to maintain momentum in the face of dwindling donor contributions. Collateral Damage Across the Health Sector Cutting immunization budgets doesn't just leave populations vulnerable to measles—it destabilizes the entire healthcare ecosystem. When vaccination rates fall for one disease, it often signals that coverage is slipping across the board. This creates openings for other preventable diseases such as polio, rubella, and diphtheria to resurface. Health systems in many low-income countries are chronically understaffed and underfunded. When an outbreak occurs, already overworked healthcare workers must divert their attention from routine services to emergency response. This diversion reduces access to essential care for other conditions and increases the risk of secondary health crises. Infrastructure suffers as well. Vaccines require cold-chain logistics to remain viable—refrigerated transport and storage that break down when funding is cut. Outreach programs that once provided education and combated misinformation get shelved. Without trusted voices in communities reinforcing the importance of vaccines, fear and confusion fill the void, deepening vaccine hesitancy and resistance. Prevention Costs Less Than Crisis The irony is that preventing a measles outbreak is far cheaper and far more effective than managing one. Vaccinating a child costs just a few dollars. In contrast, responding to a measles outbreak—particularly one involving complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling, or severe dehydration—can cost hundreds or even thousands per patient. In nations without universal healthcare, this often translates to personal financial catastrophe for affected families. But the true cost of measles isn’t just financial. It’s social, educational, and economic. Children miss weeks of school. Parents or caregivers lose income to stay home or seek treatment. Hospitals become overcrowded, impacting patients needing care for unrelated conditions. These ripple effects often go unmeasured in official statistics but can cripple communities for years. What Needs to Happen—Now We don’t need to reinvent the wheel to control measles. The roadmap already exists and has proven effective for decades. What’s needed now is political will and renewed commitment from global leaders and health organizations. This means restoring and increasing funding for immunization programs and strengthening healthcare infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable regions. Public health messaging must be modernized to address the new realities of digital misinformation. Grassroots campaigns, community influencers, and local health workers must be empowered to build trust and combat myths surrounding vaccines. In many cases, hesitancy isn't rooted in ignorance but in past traumas, distrust of authorities, or religious and cultural concerns. Effective communication must be empathetic, local, and sustained—not one-off PR stunts. We also need to embrace innovation. Digital immunization records can help track vaccine coverage and alert families when shots are due. Mobile vaccination units can bring services directly to remote or underserved areas. But technology alone isn’t the answer—it needs to be supported by trained personnel, proper logistics, and long-term funding. The Bottom Line Measles doesn’t require a scientific breakthrough to defeat. We already have the tools. What we lack is follow-through. The resurgence of this disease is a symptom of deeper neglect: shrinking budgets, fading political focus, and growing global inequality. The cost of inaction is already visible—in hospital wards, in classrooms, and in the homes of grieving families. Every life lost to measles is a tragedy made all the more painful by its preventability. And the longer we wait to act, the harder it will be to restore the ground we've lost.
By Md Shoriful Islamabout a year ago in Families
The Ripple Effect on Families: What Happens When Women Suffer?
When my cousin's wife Achol's phone number flashed up on my screen at 7:28 a.m., I knew something was wrong. She never called before 9am, she is a mother of five under 10, and mornings in her house are an Olympic event. I braced myself, and sure enough, the line opened to a staccato lullaby of children shrieking, the toaster popping, and Achol's breathless voice:
By Majok Wutchokabout a year ago in Families
Helpless Mothers
Mother—this small word hides a huge feeling, a unique image of selfless love and sacrifice. Mother is the first teacher, guardian and friend of a child's life. But when that mother becomes helpless, then that image becomes tragic and heartbreaking. In today's society, many mothers are seen who are left alone in the ups and downs of life, without a husband, children, or relatives by their side. A helpless mother, burdened by age, yet engaged in a battle with poverty and hardship, is like a living tragedy.Their stories get lost in the busyness of society, yet each story brings tears to the eyes. What is the life of a helpless mother like? She may have once been a happy housewife. She stepped into a new life with dreams, holding her husband's hand. She gave birth to a child with love, raised him with utmost compassion. But in the whirlwind of time, she may have lost her husband, and her children have also become busy with their own lives.Some may have considered their mother a burden and left her in an old age home, while others may have left her in a corner of the house out of neglect. The morning of such a mother begins with loneliness and helplessness. Maybe the fire in the stove doesn't burn day after day, maybe there's no money to buy medicine. And the mind? There's a lot of pain, pride, and unspoken words. No one understands the language of those silent cries.Many times, such mothers have to go their separate ways - begging, working at home, or sitting on the streets become the reality of their lives. Who is responsible for this helplessness? The children, society, or the decline of our values? We have become so self-centered today that giving time to our mother or standing by her side seems like an extra responsibility. Yet, that mother was once our greatest refuge. How civilized a society is can be understood by how they view and treat their women, especially old mothers. When a mother gets old, what she needs most is affection, sympathy, and care. She doesn't want anything else at that time—she just wants someone to be by her side, to talk to her, to hold her hand. These helpless mothers need social initiatives, policy and attitude changes. Government and non-government organizations should build safe shelters for such mothers, ensure their medical treatment and food.At the same time, we need to bring back to our family and social values a place where respecting mothers is not just a duty, but a part of love. We should take care of our own mothers and stand by other helpless mothers. Maybe if we all give a little love, time and compassion, the life of a helpless mother can change. We must remember that today's helpless mothers were once someone's strength, someone's shelter. As long as helpless mothers cry in a society, that society cannot be truly humane. Let us embrace with love those mothers who are looking for a little affection today. Because, a mother can never be a stranger to us—she is eternally deep in our hearts. The life of this helpless mother shows us how pitiful the neglect, poverty and lack of love of society can be. Many of us forget that a mother is not only a giver of life, she is the pillar of a family. Her suffering, sacrifice and love can never be fully appreciated.We should show respect and love to every mother, so that no more mothers have to cry in the pain of neglect. May mothers spend their last days of life in peace and dignity - this is our pledge.
By Md Mujahidul Islamabout a year ago in Families
Parenting in the Age of Screens
Some days, I feel like I’m parenting in the middle of a crowded train station—doors slamming, voices bouncing off walls, responsibilities shouting for attention. And somewhere in that chaos, there’s my 8-year-old asking, with full dramatic flair, if she really has to do her studies or chores.
By Babita Sobhani Jalanabout a year ago in Families
I Almost Died Giving Birth to My Son
I was 27 years old the summer of 2017, and 32 weeks pregnant with my eldest son, my rainbow baby. Andy. He was named after his father, we had picked his name before he was born. He was my third term pregnancy ( I birthed 2 daughters) ... But the first to make it that far in over 5 years, and my first son. I’d lost several early pregnancies before him, one after another. Each one took a piece of me with them. I had tried to conceive for five long years, five years of hope and heartbreak, over and over again. I had what my doctor called unexplained secondary infertility. So when I finally carried Andy to term... I cherished every moment. It was a hard pregnancy, physically and emotionally, but I loved it. Every wave of nausea, I smiled through, every kick, every sleepless night, it didn’t matter. I had waited so long for this. I was just so grateful.
By MadamMysticabout a year ago in Families
The Importance of Prioritizing Your Health: A Guide to a Healthier Life
*The Importance of Prioritizing Your Health: A Guide to a Healthier Life* #Introduction* Good health is the foundation of a happy and fulfilling life. However, due to hectic schedules, stress, or poor lifestyle choices, many people neglect their well-being in today's fast-paced world. Maintaining good health isn’t just about avoiding illness—it’s about enhancing your quality of life, increasing longevity, and improving mental and physical performance.
By Victory Timesabout a year ago in Families
Parenting Boys and Girls: Understanding Key Differences
Parenting is a unique journey and no two children are exactly alike. While each child requires love, empathy and consistency, boys and girls often respond to different parenting styles. Understanding these differences can help foster stronger connections and improve family dynamics.
By iDigitize Infotech LLPabout a year ago in Families
