THE phrase “we are our brothers’ keepers” is as old as the biblical story of Cain and Abel, yet it remains as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago.
It is a moral reminder that our lives are interconnected and that our well-being is tied to how we care for one another.
In times of crisis, uncertainty and rapid change, this principle is not just an ethical suggestion, it is a survival strategy.
Today, people are going through a lot.
Economic, environmental and technological shifts are reshaping societies in ways that are often painful.
In many parts of the world, the cost of living is rising, jobs are disappearing and families are struggling to make ends meet.
Globally, climate change is disrupting food systems, displacing communities and intensifying poverty.
Added to this are mental health struggles and the alarming rise in drug abuse, particularly among youths.
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These challenges are not distant; they are in our homes, our workplaces and on our streets.
They demand that we pay closer attention to one another and revive the spirit of solidarity.
One of the most pressing issues today is mental health.
Depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses have become silent epidemics across the globe.
Economic hardship, job insecurity and social isolation weigh heavily on people, leaving many feeling hopeless.
Sadly, mental illness still carries stigma and those afflicted by it often suffer in silence.
When we fail to notice its signs in the next person, we leave them to battle storms alone.
Being our brothers’ keepers means listening without judgement, checking in on one another and creating safe spaces where people can admit they are not okay.
The “How are you really doing?” question can be lifesaving.
Technology, while bringing immense benefits, is also unsettling the world of work.
Companies everywhere are automating tasks, replacing human beings with machines and artificial intelligence.
This wave of change has left many without jobs, particularly in manufacturing, retail and services sectors.
For breadwinners who lose employment the loss is not just financial, but also emotional; it is a blow to dignity and purpose.
The ripple effect extend to families and entire communities.
If we are our brothers’ keepers, we cannot turn a blind eye when those around us lose their livelihoods.
Solidarity in such times means offering support, sharing opportunities and advocating for policies that balance innovation with human welfare.
For youths, the pressures are even greater.
In Zimbabwe and beyond, many young people feel trapped by limited opportunities, social expectations, and the uncertainty of the future.
In their search for escape, too many are turning to drug and substance abuse.
This crisis is robbing societies of their most energetic and creative generation.
But pointing fingers or condemning from a distance does not solve the problem.
We are our brothers’ keepers when we engage young people with compassion, mentorship and guidance; when communities provide safe spaces, alternatives and hope.
It is not enough to mourn lives wasted — we must walk with them before they fall.
Environmental changes also remind us of the inter-connectedness of human life. Climate change is no respecter of borders.
Floods in Asia, wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa and cyclones in the Americas all point to a shared vulnerability.
When a farmer in Chimanimani loses crops to drought or a villager in Mozambique loses a home to flooding, we cannot shrug and say: “That is their problem.”
It is our collective problem, because the planet is home to us all.
To be our brothers’ keepers is to embrace climate responsibility, to act locally while thinking globally, and to stand with those most affected.
In practical terms, keeping watch over one another means building communities that care.
Churches, schools, civic groups, and families must reclaim their role as anchors of support.
Governments and institutions must invest not only in infrastructure but also in social safety nets, mental health services and youth empowerment.
But even more importantly, each of us as individuals must revive empathy in our daily lives.
Being our brothers’ keepers is about small, consistent actions: sharing a meal with someone hungry; mentoring a young person in need of direction; offering a ride to a stranded neighbour; contributing to community initiatives; speaking against drug peddling or simply noticing when someone is unusually quiet and ask if they are okay.
These gestures, though small, ripple outwards and strengthen the fabric of humanity.
The truth is, none of us can stand alone.
We live in a world where our challenges are intertwined.
Your brother’s despair can become your own; your neighbour’s joy can uplift you.
We are called to stand guard over one another, not as a burden, but as a responsibility that ensures our collective survival.
As economies shift, as the environment changes and as technology disrupts our ways of living, let us not lose sight of this timeless truth: we are our brothers’ keepers.
If we ignore this call, the fractures in our societies will only widen. But if we embrace it, then even in the face of hardship, we will endure — together.
- Cliff Chiduku is the director of marketing, information and public relations at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences in Mutare. He writes in his personal capacity. Feedback: Call/App +263775716517.
