Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT has embarked on a nationwide visit to children’s homes, donating foodstuffs and goods as part of its responsibility to understand and respond to the realities affecting children and those entrusted with their care.
Over the weekend, a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mercy Dinha visited children at Alpha Cottages Children’s Home in Masvingo, where they donated food and protective supplies.
Among the food donated were rice and face masks.
The rice will help add to the children’s meals, while the face masks will provide basic protection against illness, the ministry said.
Deputy Minister Dinha also toured the home to see the children’s living conditions and hear from caregivers about their needs.
“The visit supports NDS2, the Government’s plan to improve people’s lives and support those who need help most,” the ministry said.
“By supporting children with basic needs and helping them access education and other opportunities, Government is working towards decent work and social protection for all by 2030.”
Last week, the Government said it will continue creating appropriate opportunities for children to express themselves and participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Deputy Minister Mercy Dinha has so far visited Lirhanzo Children’s Home in Mwenezi District, Alpha Cottages in Masvingo District, Little Birds in Bikita District and Shekinah Glory in Zvishavane.
In her recent address, Deputy Minister Dinha said she applauded the provincial and district Social Development teams, management and caregivers of these institutions for the work that they continue to do caring for and protecting children placed in residential care facilities.
“This visit is particularly important to me because child protection is not only about policies, legislation and programmes, it is ultimately about the lives, dignity, safety and future of individual children,” she said.
“It is therefore important for Government leadership to periodically come to institutions such as this one, see the situation on the ground, listen to those providing care and, most importantly, listen to the children themselves.”
She said the Government remained committed to ensuring that every child enjoyed his or her rights and was protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and all forms of violence.
Deputy Minister Dinha said their child protection interventions were guided by the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Children’s Act and other relevant legislation, policies and standards governing the care and protection of children.
Source: Government continues distributing foodstuffs to Children’s Homes countrywide – herald
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