Children were the hardest hit, the pic.. Include ebola orphans
The outbreak of the Ebola virus has left severe shock and distressed killing over two thousand people with over thousand orphans, widows and widowers. The care and security of Ebola survivors is equally crucial to the eradication of Ebola in Sierra Leone. It is in this vein that UNICEF has provided support to Caritas Bo with a grant of $125,000 to support children and their families in the recovery process in Moyamba District, South Sierra Leone.
As part of the reintegration and recovery process, children will be provided psychosocial support. Family Tracing and reunification will be conducted in 7 chiefdoms: Kori, Kowa, Kamajei, Dasse, Lower and Upper Banta, Bagruwa and chiefdoms. These actions will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs with Plan Sierra Leone as Counterparts.
“Children will be placed in foster care where reunifications with their biological relations do not work out. School materials will e provided for very vulnerable children. Community based protection structures including Child welfare committees and Child Action groups will be supported” says Caritas Director, David Yambasu. A six months follow up plan will be drawn and implemented.
He added that Caritas Bo, also runs a Children’s Home which is located in the Saint Theresa’s Parish in Bo. The Saint Mary’s Children’s Home has been inexistence since 1989. The home caters for orphans and very vulnerable children providing a safe, loving and caring home with both mother and father figures in residence. It has a capacity to house 30 children in accordance with the minimum standards set by the ministry of social welfare gender and children’s Affairs in the National alternative care policy. The Home provide a safe and caring environment for 38 child ebola survivors when no other home in Bo District was willing to receive these survivors even though MSF declared them safe, well and non contagious.
The children’s home is funded from donations from friends and charities among which is the Saint Mary’s Children’s Home charity in Australian, The Healey Foundation, Individual family members, parishioners and The Catholic Bishop of Bo.
Meanwhile, all those who feel touch and wish to donate can do so now by contacting Caritas Bo : Why not donate and be part of this soul saving initiative of the catholic Diocese of Bo?