ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: To formulate a national policy for orphan children, the ministry of social welfare and women development organized a one-day workshop on Saturday.
Federal Minister for Women Develoment and Social Welfare Attiya Inayatullah, presided over the closing session of the workshop where recommendations relating to the welfare of orphan children were presented.
The recommendation will be incorporated in the proposed national policy.
During the first session Social Welfare Division’s secretary, Begum Parveen Qadir Agha said in her keynote address that the care of orphans was a religious obligation and it was our national duty to take care of them. She added Pakistan was also bound by the Convention of the Rights of the Child to take care of orphans.
Mr Musharraf Rasool Cyan, a consultant, presented a research study on the upkeep and care of orphan children. The research was funded by Unicef.
Mr Rasool surveyed over 55 institutions in this connection, and the report has been accepted as basic document for formulating the national policy.
He presented case studies of Edhi Trust, Anjuman Faizul Islam, Kashan Atfal-o-Naunihal, Hira Academy and Darul Fallah Sulemania. The report surveyed existing institutions in all the four provinces and Northern Area.
According to the survey these institutions should be treated as a role model, because of their developed institutional capabilities and efficient management.
These organizations understand principles of childcare, education, personality building, dignity, self esteem and love for the orphan children.
The report discussed 2,280 projects being implemented in SOS villages, where children live in home and community. Each home has about 10 children, who live like brothers and sisters and are looked after by a mother. This system gives the children a feeling of belonging and security.
‘Aghosh’, a institution in the Northern Areas, houses 20 children and have recently adopted two brothers, whose mother has been placed in another house where she is provided shelter and food.
Darul Shafqat, a subsidiary organization of Anjuman Hemayet Islam is the country’s oldest institution working for the welfare of orphans, it has 450 children including 200 girls. Special children are also admitted here.
The report mentions only one institution in Balochistan of this kind. However, a large number of orphan children are being cared for by the madrassahs throughout the country, including Balochistan. The standard of these madrassahs are much below standard.
Edhi Homes, featured prominently in the report. This institute not only admits orphan children also resettles them in foster homes and uses media for publicity and seeks funding for abandoned or lost children.
Since 1965, Kashana Atfal-o-Naunehal established by Begum Ispahani in 1958 has taken care of 800 newly born babies who were later adopted by families and now many of them have become doctors, engineers and are in other professions too.
The report said Hira Academy at Haripur has set up a polytechnic institute, to train orphan children in computers, electronics, wood work and other skills.
The founder of SOS villages, Begum Soorya Anwar made a thematic presentation in the second session of the workshop. Qazi Saghirul Haq, President of Faizul Islam and Khalid Khan Baloch and Mr Akbar spoke on the occasion.—Jonaid Iqbal