Orphanage appeals for gov’t support By Eric Kabeera Email Article export article Print Article image Kicukiro District Vice Mayor Florence Uwayisaba awards a certificate of appreciation to Emmanuel Semuhutu for his support to orphans. (Photo J Mbanda) KICUKIRO - As Rwanda celebrated the day of the African Child, the government was urged to intervene in solving the challenges that orphanages face. The call was made earlier this week, by Celestin Mitabu, the Director of Rwandan Orphans Project (ROP) centre for street children, while addressing a gathering in Nyarugunga Sector, Kicukiro District to mark the Day. Mitabu said that though much has been done to reintegrate street children in normal life, more was needed to prevent children from taking to the streets. “We still face problems, especially in providing health facilities and education to our children; that’s why we need the government to intervene and provide us with assistance,” he noted. “We also want it to approach parents and sensitise them more on family planning. There are some parents who still produce children that they cannot provide for”. Mitabu added that it was everybody’s obligation to ensure that children live a better life and not leaving the responsibility to the government and donors only. ROP centre for street children provides basic needs to nearly 100 vulnerable children countrywide. Jenny Clover, the assistant coordinator of ROP, noted that they are strategising on diversifying income sources to reduce overdependence on foreign aid. “Lack of funds remains our major challenge; which is why we need to buy our own land and construct a building that will generate income for us,” she noted. Our boys feel sad that they cannot be with their parents and families, but they know that ROP offers safety, security, love and a chance to a better life in the future through education”. Kicukiro Vice Mayor in charge of social affairs, Florence Uwayisaba, assured the centre that the government would intervene in providing solutions to problems that affect them.