Caring for orphaned a major factor

The Executive Director of Orphan Concern Liberia, Amos M. Sawboh, says the responsibility of caring for Orphaned Children is a major factor in pushing many families and their inability to cope with the number of children requiring protection and support.

Speaking Monday, November 14 at the celebration of World Orphaned Day, he said orphaned children are disadvantage in numerous and often divesting ways. He said in additional to the time of witnessing the ailment and death of one or both parents, they are likely to be poorer and less healthy.

He noted that it was time that the government develop a National Strategy to strength the capacities of families and communities to care for these children, stressing the need for a code framework of action must be develop by stakeholders in making save the rights and needs of orphans are protected.

Speaking on behalf of the Orphans, Abraham Gayah said life as an orphan was not the best any child would hope for, saying just as nobody chooses to be handicap, so it is with being an orphan.

He said today there were many challenges Orphans are faced with ranging from girls leaving the orphanages and becoming early mothers to boys, many of whom leave the orphanage with no formal skills or education, thus getting involved with harmful vices.

According to him, there are many holidays on the calendar of the UN and global Institutions for children, but there has never been one for Liberian orphans, and therefore calling on the government to set a day aside to be celebrated as Orphan day.

Also speaking, Montserrado County Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff described as unfair when a few children have good school to go to, while others don’t have. Senator Sheriff said as Liberians, it was time to stand up strong not only when they need public jobs.

By Bridgett Milton