In a new initiative, the government has made a provision for sheltering children who have strayed away from their homes and are unable to identify their parents.
According to the new regulations, the boys and girls referred by the Ministry of Social Affairs will be sheltered in separate homes which will aim to provide a near-normal family life to them.
Having been denied the comfort of a family life, the shelters will prepare rehabilitation programs for males within the framework of an annual plan including activities and programs taking into consideration the age and capabilities of the child.
The ministry will also provide training and awareness programs for personality development in order for the residents to lead productive lives upon leaving the shelters.
The Ministry of Social Affairs will dispense a monthly stipend to each resident child and also pay toward school or university fees for students.
The ministry will also bear the costs of medical treatment in private health facilities if the child is denied treatment in a government hospital or health care center. The ministry has the authority to enroll the resident child in a private school, institute or university and will provide transportation.
According to the draft plan, the capacity of each shelter should not exceed 40 residents and in case of residential units, the number should not exceed 80 residents categorized according to their age.
Residency ends in cases where the sponsorship of the resident is transferred to an alternative party following the approval of the ministry; when the male resident reaches 20 years of age or acquires a high school certificate or its equivalent. However, the ministry can extend the period of residency according to the need.
Residency is also terminated on the marriage or death of the resident.
The ministry is wholly in charge of providing the residents with psychological, social and educational care according to their age and needs.
Shelters for lost children to have rehab programs
