The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
More than 4,500 foster parents have been registered in the country as the children’s rights advocates have discouraged the presence of charitable homes.
In a forum to celebrate the foster parents, the advocates and department of children underscored the need of raising children in the families rather than in charitable homes where one’s problems can not be easily noticed.
Foster families, the forum underscored is a testament to the invaluable role that foster parents play in safeguarding
children who have experienced separation from their families.
In a forum at St Mary Cathedral Catholic Church in Murang’a where the Children rights advocates celebrated the Foster Care Week celebrations, Grace Mwangi from Embu county, said they have registered 119 foster parents saying their children entrusted to them are healthy and going to school.
Ms Mwangi said there was a need to bring up children in a family set up for modeling and care.
“ The charitable institutions are not viable thus needed for the Kenyans to consider getting the children out of such homes for the best upbringing,” said Mwangi.
Ms Joyce Mwangi from Kangema sub county lauded the foster parents concept saying she was last year given a boy to support by the church.
“ Am happy to note that the boy now in secondary school is part of my family and doing very well as the church assists in paying for his education,” said Ms Mwangi.
Principal Secretary Joseph Motari of Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs during the celebrations said the National Care Reform for children is a key step in fulfilling Kenya’s international commitments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children.
The PS said the reform is designed to transit from a system where children are often placed in institutional care to one where every child can grow safely and sustainably within a family and community setting.
“ In the family based care, the children are placed in the best interests at the forefront,” he said.
The ministry, Mr Motari explained has worked with partners who have developed a range of family-based care options such as
kinship care, kafala, foster care, guardianship, and adoption. “ The concept, he added, is designed to ensure that all children in need of care and protection are placed within a loving family environment.
Joseph Muthuri from Legacy for Children said in Meru there are 150 parents saying the concept was working to the advantage of the children.
“ It is our humble appeal to Kenyans to support the new concept that will ensure the children grow in the right environment,” said Muthuri.
Father Charles Kibe represented Bishop James Maria Wainaina in the National celebrations.
