AMECEA: “Child Care Reform is Viable Program,” Says Church Ministers

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

After a week-long program on the significance of child care reforms and assessment on pilot reintegration, Church ministers have expressed that Catholic Care for Children (CCC) initiative is the most appropriate strategy to be implemented in bringing up children.

“After listening to this new concept of caring for children in families which I did not know earlier, this is quite impressive and I see it a very viable program. It is an eye-opener,” Fr. Donansio Malajira, the parish priest of Mpiri Catholic Parish in Mangochi Diocese, Malawi shared with AMECEA Online after attending the workshop 27 February to 1^st March.

Fr Malipa who is the chaplain for family apostolate in the diocese, underscored that children brought up in institutions lack family love since they don’t bond with their biological parents or relatives.

“When children grow up together with their parents, siblings, peers, and relatives, in a family setup, they are attended to as individuals, unlike in an orphanage where they are cared for as a group making them miss that individual love that the family gives,” Fr. Malajira said and promised to meet the committee responsible for families at the diocese level, the marriage encounter group and the Christian family movement, and sensitize them sensitize on the same concern.

“In family apostolate, we encourage families without children to adopt, and we also encourage them to be foster parents and support the needy children,” the priest said emphasizing the significance of sensitizing the various groups in the diocese about the holistic care of children.

On his part, the parish priest of St. Charles Lwanga Kankao parish Fr. Edwin Lambulira revealed that socialization is key for the full development of a child.

“It is very important for a child in care institution to have connections with relatives. We are social beings and there should be a bond so that these children can learn their cultures too,” Fr. Lambulira who doubles as Vocations Director for the Diocese and Chaplain of Catholic Renewal Charismatic Movement said in an interview Thursday, March 1.

He pointed out that the most possible reasons that may hinder families from adopting orphaned children are the economic status and fear of responsibility.

“Many families are poor and are struggling with poverty. Some people cannot afford the basic needs and this can make them worry in case they are to add another member to the family,” Fr. Lambulira disclosed adding that some people have developed an individualistic type of life, they are not concerned about others and shun away from responsibilities.

He further noted that some parents take their children to stay in institutions because of shame when the child is disabled in some way. With this, he advised that parents should accept their children as a gift from God.

According Fr Lambulira, the youths who are not yet married are the best group to be included in the sensitized about Catholic Care for Children since they are preparing to have families, and the knowledge “will help them know in advance the advantages of caring for children other than taking them to an institution.”