The struggle to reunite children with their families

After spending ten years in an orphanage, Roger Shyaka`s elder brother, last week, willingly came-out to take him home and promised to support him until he is able to start an independent life. The 17 year old has for ten years been at Mpore-PEFA orphanage in Gikondo Sector, Kicukiro District. He says that he had no hope his relatives would one time come for him. Like Rogers, there are many other children in orphanages countrywide despite their parents or relatives being able to support them. It is for this reason that government in collaboration with Hope and Homes for Children Rwanda, an NGO, launched a campaign to re-unite children with their families. However, despite the achievements registered, the campaign is experiencing challenges that call for everyone’s involvement and commitment to make it a success. The NGO`s representative Epaphrodite Nsabimana, says that parents or relatives of children in orphanages are reluctant to come out and take on their responsibilities. “When we approach some community members during our usual identification exercise, some say they are afraid of coming out to take children from the orphanages, saying local authorities will take tight measures against them, an excuse which is not true at all,” Nsabimana says. He adds that: “There are no punishments or measures taken because what we are only considering and most important is to re-unite children so that they can be in the families and have their rights.” He points out that the wrong belief has significantly delayed and complicated the exercise. Nsabimana calls upon parents and the public to avoid imaginations and cooperate in making the initiative a success. According to him, strategies are being formulated to ensure that the exercise that started in one orphanage covers all those in the country. He adds that since January out of the 50 children who were in Mpore-PEFA orphanage, 30 have so far been reunited with their families. During the event, although some children were happy as others got reunited with their families, the children representative expressed concern of why some parents have not been committed enough to take them out of the orphanage. “Personally, I am sad. I can not feel good or happy seeing people I have been used to, leaving me here. I just wish my family members can also come for me,” says Alex Karangwa, adding that he has been in the orphanage for the last five years. Although some children who spoke to Sunday Times say they do not complain about the care given at the orphanage, they believe going to their families will be the best option. The children who have been reunited with their families appreciate the role played by local authorities, the orphanage leadership as well as other partners in the move to identify their family members. “Today is a landmark and a beginning of a new life. I am really happy and grateful that I will meet my family members especially my mother who has finally managed to come out and take us home,” said Mussa Mukotanyi, one of the four children reunited with their families during a reunion function. Benilde Uwababyeyi, a Child Protection Specialist at the Gender Ministry, called upon parents and family members to come out willingly and take up their responsibilities. “As parents, it’s a shame to deny our children their rights. It`s therefore important to note that no child is left in these orphanages especially when someone out there can give support.” She stressed that government is committed to making sure every Rwandan including children enjoy their rights. Ends