By Joseph S. Margai in Freetown, Sierra Leone
The Director of Don Bosco Fambul in Freetown, Father George Crisafulli, has said in an exclusive interview recently that the Don Bosco would be releasing over one hundred victims the mudslide and flood mostly children, lactating mothers and pregnant women. The release of the victims was expected to take place on December 15, 2017.
The Director stated that they have played their part by giving humanitarian support to the victims that were affected by the August 14th mudslide and flood and it is high time to release them as Don Bosco is not a camp or orphanage.
“We have played our part to respond to the emergency and it is time to release the affected victims,” he said.
He noted that Don Bosco would give the affected victims an exit package for them to start their life, adding that the package will help greatly to improve their lives and a starter to a more refined life.
However, he noted that the said package would not have anything like financial support but foodstuffs, clothing, etc., noting that it is the responsibility of government to provide financial support and housing for them.
“Since the mudslide incident, we have been giving them psycho social support, spiritual support, accommodation, feeding and emergency. We now need to release them,” he added.
He revealed that government was to give financial package to children via Orange money transfer but they are yet to receive such support, adding that if the support is given to them, it will help the victims to rent houses and also to start a small scale business that will enhance to improve their livelihood.
Consequently, he said, the families of the children orphaned by the incident will be traced before they will be released.
“Those who cannot be traced, Don Bosco will take care of them. Foster parents who want to take any child for adoption must do so through the Ministry Of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs,” he said. He added that the ministry would examine whether the family is capable to take care of any child before handing him/her over to them.
