|
Tanzania launches vulnerable children`s plan
2008-02-18 09:12:07
By Patrick Kisembo
The government yesterday launched a 43bn/- national plan of action for vulnerable children at a ceremony witnessed by US First Lady Laura Bush.
Details of the plan were revealed by Deputy Minister for Health and Social Welfare Dr Aisha Kigoda in Dar es Salaam.
Dr Kigoda said Tanzania was ready to meet the needs of its children as stipulated by international conventions and domestic laws.
The ceremony was graced by Mama Salma Kikwete, who said the number of children living in difficult and dangerous environment was increasing at an alarming rate.
Addressing the gathering, Mama Kikwete said HIV orphans constituted 42 per cent of children aged below 18 years.
``More than half of the guardians are either grandmothers or grandfathers of more than 65 years of age,`` she said, adding that Tanzania would have about four million orphans and vulnerable children by 2010.
According to Tanzanian culture, orphans and vulnerable children are part of the society and their care is the responsibility of families, clans and the whole community.
``Clans and blood relationship have become pillars of the society in guarding, taking care and providing assistance
to these children,`` Mama Kikwete said.
Mrs Bush commended President Jakaya Kikwete and Mama Salma for voluntarily testing their HIV status last year.
She said the US had in 2003 established the President`s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief which had provided medicine for about 100,000 people.
The US first lady said Tanzania was among the first few countries in the world to establish such a plan. She said the people of America would play a role in supporting the plan.
``I am sure Tanzania and USA can restore the lives and hope of orphaned children if we work together,`` she said.
|
