Many children’s homes found to be running violating operational standards

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Sushil Darnal (Kathmandu) / June 9: Most of the children’s homes in many districts in the country have been found to be running without meeting the Comprehensive Standards for Operation and Management of Residential Child Care Homes 2069.

The Central Child Welfare Board (CCWB) said that during a monitoring carried out from the Nepali month of Shrawan, 2072 BS to Baisakh 2073, 13 children’s homes were found to be operating breaching the standards.

And the total 178 children were rescued from these children’s homes facing action, it added.

The standards include provisions that identity and details of a child getting into any children’s home should be kept and proper accommodation, food and clothing should be ensured to the children.

Those children’s homes facing punishment are Garib Sudhar Manch in Banepa, Hamro Ghar at Dhobighat, Hamro Chautari in Kaski, New Vision Balgriha in Kaski, See Home at Satdobato, Sadak Balbalika Rehabilitation Centre at Lajimpat, Eternal World Ministries at Bhadrabas, Help Lines at Gaushala, Apanga Paropakar Sewa Kendra at Gongabu and Anath Children Centre at Budanilakantha.

CCWB executive director Tarak Dhital told Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) that first priority would be given to rehabilitate the rescued children with their family or they would be sent to other children’s homes running in direct contact with the committee.

According to available data collected during the fiscal year 2015/16, the total 577 children’s homes are operating in various 44 districts with 353 centered in Kathmandu valley alone.

Of them, four children’s homes and two child reform centers are being run on subsidy amounts provided by the government.

The total 16,400 children are taking shelter in the children’s homes. RSS