A local nongovernmental organisation has funded two children centres that were recently officially opened in Gashora and Nyarugenge sectors in Bugesera District.The initiative is part of the measures being taken by Hope and Homes for Children to respond to the practice of abandoning children in the area.“Among others, these centres will be used in providing free basic education to children below six years as support to vulnerable families, before their children join primary school,” said Deus Kalibata, head of the Programme Development and Advocacy at the organisation.She explained that the centres will reduce the challenges that have in most cases led parents to send their children to orphanages.In partnership with the Ministry of Gender, the NGO has been integrating children from orphanages into their rightful homes, a move that is expected to see more orphanages closed following the recent closure of Mpore Pefa.During the event, the NGO donated 50 phones to voluntary workers charged with the responsibility of identifying families that need support. The district Mayor, Louis Rwagaju, called on families in the area to maximise the use of family planning methods to avoid producing children they are unable to provide for.He said having a big number of children has significantly affected the standards of living among various families.“This tendency of families to have many children is directly leading to denial of children rights like having an education while some parents have gone as far as abandoning their own children.” A survey on children in orphanages conducted by the NGO, in collaboration with the National Commission for Children (NCC), indicated that some children housed in the facilities have at least a parent or relative.It also proved that some parents abandon their children as they cannot fully provide for them and are eventually also forced into child labour.The Country Director of Hope for Children, Claudine Nyinawagaga, said more centres will be put in place, calling upon parents to take on their responsibilities.The NGO has also constructed a centre each in Nyamagabe and Kicukiro districts.Zaina Nyiramatama, the Executive Secretary of the NCC, told The New Times that the commission is working with the Ministry of Public Service and Labour on a draft policy that will help in the implementation of the children rights law.
