Many of those who enjoy and live in the public limelight like to see themselves as the protagonists of the political, social, religious and economic spheres in which they militate. They often yearn for and get the acknowledgment of the media that promotes the cult of celebrity and shapes the thinking of so many by presenting stereotypes of what they consider successful role models in public life.

There is no doubt that many that have opted for a very public role in their life deserve our respect, as long as their leadership promotes prosperity for themselves and for others. The satisfaction that often comes with the status that these people enjoy in the eyes of our society is often a harmless sentiment and a stimulus to these persons to continue serving society in a very public way.

But my real heroes are the thousands of individuals and families who tiptoe through life in silence, often struggling to cope with the demands of earning a decent living despite enormous difficulties in their private lives. There are so many of these people who make things happen for themselves and their families through sheer determination and personal sacrifice.

My heroes are those young and middle aged women who have to cope with the pressures of raising a family, pursuing a career and helping the family finances. In the process they often find very little time for themselves. The only reward they aspire for is the satisfaction that comes when they see their children succeed in life.

Other unsung heroes are families who have to cope with the immense physical and mental stress that comes with caring for children with special needs, or elderly parents afflicted with the maladies of senility. These social pressures are once again often put on women who also have to cope with other family priorities.

Far too many of our workers languish in dead end jobs that often offer little or no satisfaction. Some are bullied by their bosses, others are discriminated against for various reasons, and many are simply taken for granted because job mobility is a scarce luxury in a small economy.

Other unsung heroes are those elderly who after a lifetime of work are now struggling to make both ends meet. Their quality of life often deteriorates rapidly after retirement, partly because of financial problems and failing health. Those who cannot rely on the support of their children often suffer in silence with their human dignity in shatters.

But the heroes that I empathise with in a passionate way are the young people who come from dysfunctional families. While they are almost certainly not experiencing the real joys of youth, they face a bleak future because of their inability to achieve much in our educational system. These victims of our society operates that is often so insensitive grow up to be angry young men that end up on the social scrap heap that is made up of the unemployed and the unemployable.

Success in life can have so many different meanings and interpretations. The way the leaders of business, politics and the Church view success often means little to the thousands of individuals who have much less exalted expectations in life, but still have a burning desire to reach their modest goals.

For a young person coming from a dysfunctional family a little help to get on the first step of the employment ladder is a mirage that often proves to be unreachable. What these young people need are "guardian angels" from among those who have already succeeded to guide them through the difficult patches of life.

For a young mother sandwiched between the responsibilities of raising a family, caring for elderly parents, and bringing home some money, success can be achievable if only the state and her employer committed themselves to make more social investment in the area for which they are responsible.

For the elderly who risk losing their human dignity because of old-age poverty, success equates to the ability to provide themselves with the basic needs of decent living. Our political leaders can do so much more to help these people. And so can those sons and daughters who can help their parents materially and morally at this critical stage of their lives.

This is the way to honour our unsung heroes.

jcassarwhite@yahoo.com