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Namibia: More Havens Not the Answer
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The Namibian (Windhoek)
7 August 2008
Posted to the web 7 August 2008
Absalom Shigwedha
GOVERNMENT is concerned about the mushrooming of children's homes and shelters without consulting the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare.
The concern was raised by Gender and Child Welfare Deputy Minister Angelika Muharukua when she opened a workshop on the development of minimum standards for residential childcare facilities on Monday.
She said when children are orphaned or their families could not take care of them, people think the solution is to build children's homes.
"Donors are equally very eager to fund the establishments of these homes, without consulting with the relevant Ministry," said Muharukua.
She said removing a child from its family should be seen as a last resort and should be done for the shortest possible time.
"Financial and material poverty alone, or conditions directly linked to such poverty, should never be justification for removing a child from parental care or preventing his or her reintegration with the family, but must be seen as a sign for the need to provide appropriate support to the families," she said.
She applauded the caregivers of children's shelters, saying they were not only providing shelter to these children, but much-needed love, care and protection.
But Muharukua reminded the gathering that the family is the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth, wellbeing and protection of children.
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"All efforts must primarily be directed to enable the child to remain in or return to the care of his or her parents, or when appropriate to other close relatives," she said.
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