As Save the Children phases out on the ‘old Fambul Welbodi’ (FWB 1) program, the Child Protection Officer (CPO), Moses Foray Kamara has recommended that the government of Sierra Leone increases funds allocated to the family support units (FSUs).
He made this recommendation in an interview with Awoko at the end of their phase out planning meeting with stakeholders held on Wednesday at Tivoli Hall in Freetown.
Speaking on the focus of the ‘old’ program, the CPO said with funding from Irish Aid, they have been working with community structures in order to assist the government in reducing teenage pregnancy in the country as well as the communities they work with.
He explained that what they do is partnering with the community based structures some of which are the chiefs, parents, children mobilisers among others by training them on how they should reduce teenage pregnancy in the country.
“We also link them with the government structure which is available as a body by law to see that they support children’s affairs in the country”, he went on, adding that they are working with the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, FSU as well as the Freetown City Council.
He added that though they are phasing off in these communities, they want to see how they would continue to work with them so that “they won’t compromise cases rather they would have confidence in reporting them”.
Stating their successes he noted that they have succeeded in getting a closer working relationship with the FSU, as well as the ministry of social welfare, stressing that they have achieved a strong relationship with government structures.
He noted however that their challenge is with the government funding FSUs. “They have a whole lot of work plan to engage communities in order to protect grassroots children but the challenge is funding”, he emphasised.
“They will be able to take up such responsibility so that when the Non-governmental Organisations leave they will be able to take up such responsibility”, he added.
Councillor Salome representing Murray Town community said they have been involved in several programs with the organisation and in all of those programs, they have been involving the youths especially the girl child.
She went on to say they have been doing several programs in order to sensitize girls on the dangers of teenage pregnancy.
She said that was the first time they are embarking on such campaign, adding, “We are hoping for success now that our partners are on board”.
By Edna Smalle
Thursday July 14, 2016
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