Save Them Young Mission, an orphanage at Bethlehem in the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality believes it is high time the government introduced a special educational policy for orphans.
This would ensure that children brought to orphanages enjoy free education from pre-school to senior high school level.
Like many other homes across the country, the orphanage is saddled with paying school fees once the children attain school-age among other needs which are putting pressure limited resources available.
Currently, 15 out of 86 children at the orphanage are supposed to be in school this academic year but financial constraint has delayed this.
Deputy Administrator at the home, Pastor Nicholas Tandoh disclosed this when Christ the Saviour Charity Foundation donated food items and drinks among other personal effects.
“It would have been a different story if the country had a special educational policy existing for orphans. We cannot allow these brilliant brains to waste away and we have to find every means to put them in school,” Pastor Tandoh said.
Citing lawyer Xavier Sosu as an example of people who have benefited from orphanages, he said more future leaders would be produced from orphanages if the right support is given.
“Raising GH¢ 500.00 to get each child to school at a go is a herculean task as some of the donors are also taking care of their wards this term,” he lamented.
He called on stakeholders including Department of Social Welfare, Gender Ministry among others to push for this policy which can change the fortunes of the orphans in the homes.
Save Them Young Mission is burdened with medical bills, inability to provide nutritious food, inability to pay salaries of staff and monthly utility bills for gas, water, sewage and electricity.
Leader of Christ the Saviour Charity Foundation, Richard Annan called on churches to set aside a portion of their offertory to help orphanages.
“Before this policy even comes in, we the churches can take up the orphanages and make sure that we are able to cater some of their needs,” he said.
He noted that some of the children need special attention due to their condition.
“We are sad to see that some of the children are about five months with serious nutritional needs but have to be in a situation like this,” he remarked.
Source: Adomonline.com | Adom News | Kwame Yankah