Adoptions are a great way to help disadvantaged or orphaned children find homes, as well as a blessing to the adopting parents. However, there is more to it that just selecting a child and taking them home.

The Minister of Gender and Family Promotion, Dr Jean D’Arc Mujyawamariya, told parliament this week that following up on adopted children still remains a challenge.

While it is important for lawmakers to set guidelines that will foster safe adoption, it is equally important to establish mechanisms that will regularly check on whether the adopted child is not hurt and is living in a homely environment.

There have been cases where adopted children are used as house maids in worse cases, sexually abused. If there is no follow up, therefore, we risk putting Rwandan children in the wrong homes and there would be no way of finding out.

Additionally, the Minister also pointed out that there are quite a number of children who are living in orphanages and urgently need to be placed in foster homes. However, she indicated that there are not many Rwandans prepared to take up these children.

Children are a great blessing and they should never be neglected. There are families out there that have the capacity to provide a better future for one more child.

Children should not have to wait any longer than necessary to be in a secure and stable environment. The sooner they can be given a sense of belonging, and begin building trust, the better.

After all, the future of our country will be in safe hands if we nurture every child to be a responsible citizen.

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