ZAMBIA: Social Welfare Applauds ZAS Child Reintegration Program

Mwenya Mukuka

The Social Welfare Department in Lufwanyama district located in Diocese of Ndola has described the work relationship with Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS) in the reintegration program of children from childcare facilities as the best way to go.

District Social Welfare Officer Musiyaike Kaingu during an interaction at her office said her office worked well with ZAS on the first phase of the program of child reintegration which ended on 31^st March 2022.

Mrs. Kaingu said together with Catholic Care for Children in Zambia, the Social Welfare coordinated well in making sure that the reintegrated children settle well in families.

The District Social Welfare Officer also noted limited human resource at her office as a challenge in the collection of information for the reintegration process.

It was also learnt that some houses for families where certain children are being reintegrated are in a deplorable state.

Mrs. Kaingu advised that the next phase of the project should improve on the empowerment of families that are welcoming children.

She said the empowerment should start before the child is taken back to the family and added that her office should be involved at all levels in the reintegration process.

And Director for the St. Martin’s Children’s home run by the Sisters of St. John the Baptist has appreciated the financial support the Catholic Care for Children in Zambia through ZAS has rendered in the reintegration process.

Sr. Petronella Lubanga said without such support it could not have been easy to reintegrate children into the families.

Sr. Lubanga said families have been helped with finances to start small businesses.

“Such a program is commendable as the family can now be able to feed the child. With that, the child will be prevented from missing the Orphanage. ZAS has really helped, and we have done a great job by taking the children back to society with the support of ZAS. Family reintegration is in the best interest of a child,” said Sr. Lubanga.

Sr. Lubanga said that people should know that reintegration is a process and is the best for a child saying taking care of a child should be holistic.

“For the best interest of the child, we look forward to working with ZAS on the next phase,” she concluded.

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