Responsibilities to special groups including HIV/AIDS victims

Responsibilities to special groups

Special groups are people who need special care for various reasons. Such people should not be neglected. They should be assisted when they cannot carry out their responsibilities and duties.

The following are some of the special groups of the people and the way in which we can help them:

1. The elderly

These are old people. As people age, they become less energetic and may not be able to work as well as young people. As the result, they cannot work effectively and earn their daily living.

2. Street children

This is the group of the children who stay on the streets as they have no place to live. This could the result of various causes such as poverty, abuse by parents or guardians, death of parents and family break-ups.

3. People living with HIV and AIDS

These are people who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The virus attacks the white blood cells that protect the human body from infection and disease.

Responsible citizens should support such people by providing them with love, food, clothes and medicine.

4. Refugees

Refugees are people who flee their countries because of insecurity in their home countries.

The following are some of the reasons for their forced migration:

1. Political conflicts
2. Civil wars
3. Social conflicts
4. Drought or famine
5. Religious conflicts

Economic problems

Refugees lack such things as education, food and proper housing. Their families are also separated. Tanzania has refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. We can also help them by being kind to them and listening and talking to them.

5. People with disabilities

This group includes people with mental disabilities, those with hearing and speech difficulties, the blind and physically disabled. People with mental disabilities have below average intelligence. These people cannot perform routine activities effectively on their own. They often have emotional and behavioral problems. Such people tend to isolate themselves and are generally depressed. The deaf are people who have hearing problems. These people can carry out many activities which do not require hearing. They can communicate through sign language. Some people cannot speak.

6. Women and children

This group is ignored in some communities. They are not given equal opportunities to participate in decision making in their families or at higher levels. In some communities, women are not given leadership positions. Some families do not allow girls to go to school. This can be done by giving them responsibilities, allowing girls to go to school and give them equal chances at education and at employment.

The needs of the special groups

People in the special groups need specific assistance. They need various things for a comfortable life just like everybody else. Some of their needs are outlined below:

1. Old people require basic needs like clothes, shelter, health services, food, water, and general care. The community and relatives have a responsibility to take care of the elderly.

2. Street children need education, health services, water, clothing, shelter, vocational training, counseling and protection. The government and the society must ensure that these children are in manner in which they become responsible citizens.

3. People living with HIV/AIDS need love, counseling, a balanced diet, medicine and socialization.

4. Refugees need education, food, health care, food and shelter, clothing and proper security.

5. People with various disabilities need education, health care, food and shelter. They also need treated just like normal people and given equal opportunities such as employment.

6. Woman and children need to be treated fairly and to be given equal opportunities in the societies. They need education to support their lives. They need to be allowed to exercise their legal rights and freedom such as freedom of expression. Women should be allowed to participate in economic activities without being harassed or intimidated by anyone.

Responsibilities toward special groups

The duties of a good citizen toward people with special needs include:

1. Assisting these people by providing material and financial help.

2. Interacting with them, at home and in community meetings, and allowing them to express their opinions and feelings.

3. Showing them respect and understanding.

4. Providing education to all depending on their special needs.

5. Supporting them physically, for example when they are crossing roads.

6. Providing counseling and socialization.