Creating an easy atmosphere in the court

OFFICIALS at children’s homes have told Sunday Newsday that they are struggling with severe manpower and financial shortages which make it difficult to effectively address the needs of their young charges.

At a time when there is concern about the welfare of children, particularly those in orphanages and juvenile facilities, officials at two such institutions are appealing for more resources to properly take care of their children.

One institution that is struggling to meet the needs of the children in its care is the Hope Center, which houses abused and abandoned children between the ages three to 12 years.

Rhonda Harriott, manager at the Pointe-a-Pierre facility told Sunday Newsday every effort is being made to provide the atmosphere of a home rather than an institution but they face a battle just to get by.

“We have trained counsellors who give their time for free to help these children who have suffered so much. We try our best to help as much as we can,” she said, adding that not all children’s home provide the right atmosphere for their young charges.

“There is not enough supervision in some of these institutions. What is happening in our country is very sad and Government needs to put more energy into it. What about the cases that have not been publicised? We need to be more vigilant,” she ended.

Yvette Woodruff, Administrative Secretary at the Cyril Ross Nursery in Tunapuna, which cares for children with HIV/AIDS, echoed the concerns raised by Harriott.

“We do not like to characterise our nursery as an institution or orphanage but as a home. These children are brought up to understand even though they have HIV/AIDS they can live normal lives. They go to school, they go out and take part in recreational activities,” she explained.

Woodruffe described the suffering some of the children have endured as unimaginable . “We provide TLC (tender, loving care). That is the main thing that a child needs in any establishment. If you do not have TLC, forget it.”

According to Woodruffe the facility is understaffed and lacks funding and support. “What we need at the nursery are psychologists, social workers and counsellors,. We cannot afford to pay these people on our own. We need assistance,” she said.

The government provides the anti-viral medication that the children need but that’s all, she pointed out. “We have to purchase all the other necessities on our own.”

In response to increased reports of child abuse in the country the Cyril Ross Nursery established an outpatient clinic four years ago to assist the children they cannot accommodate full-time because of lack of space.

“We get volunteer doctors who visit the children twice a month making sure that they are doing good,” Woodruffe said. “This service is not to the government but to the nation.”

When approached for comment, Suzanne Wood, Communications Manager at the Ministry of Social Development told Sunday Newsday work is being completed on the package of legislation to support establishment of a long awaited Children’s Authority.