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Cleric urges govt efforts in support of orphanage centres supplemented
2007-10-06 08:52:48
By Nasser Kigangwallah
Concerted efforts by stakeholders in setting orphanage centres will reduce the number of orphans in the country.
Speaking in an interview with The Guardian in Dar es Salaam yesterday, the Islamic Social Services Development (ISSD) Executive Chairman, Saidi Chizenga revealed that there were few Orphanage Centres, run by the government, and that a number of religious institutions had come to the rescue of orphans in recent years.
`ISSD, like many other such religious organisations, was in the forefront to ensure orphans in the country are cared for. It has set one centre at Magomeni Mikumi,` he said.
Umrah Orphanage, along Kisutu Street in Kinondoni District which accommodates 40 orphans, providing them with shelter, food, healthy facilities and school materials; is one of such centres run by ISSD.
He said that ISSD has managed to organise different forums in the city and mobilise the community, particularly the well to do persons to support orphans despite acute financial problems.
`We use participatory approach to contribute money towards several projects such as food, meeting school fees and uniforms, including construction of teacher`s houses and schools,` he said.
He called on all players to provide funds so that orphans are served better to achieve a sustainable and socially balanced development.
`The social services are very limited and inadequately supported. There is a need for cooperation by all stakeholders in this regard,` he said.
The community in rural areas are living in poor conditions with limited financial capability or support, causing the influx of youth to urban centres, who subsequently become potential sources of many orphans in need of care.
`They are overburdened with extended families that need to be educated in both secular and religious knowledge to enable them cope with life,` concluded Chizenga.
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