Gardnerville – The president of the Orphans Union of Liberia, Rev. Alexander N. Stemn, is calling on the government of Liberia to increase support to orphanages across the country.
Speaking at a program marking the observance of the International Day of the African Child at the Liberian Children Rescue Educational Orphanage foundation in the New Georgia community, Rev. Stemn said orphanage operators in the country are facing difficulties to maintain and take care of the children because of the lack of support.
“We are faced with lot of challenges ranging from feeding, education of the children and better resident for the orphans and the staffs,” he said.
Speaking to FrontPage Africa, he said orphans are the “heartbeat of God,” therefore he wants the government of President George M. Weah to do more by improving the living condition of orphans.
“We are calling on the government to do more for our orphanages across the country, because without the support that we need we will not be able to take care of these children,” he said.
With the support of the government, orphans will become better citizens and contribute to the development agenda of the country, he said.
Rev. Stemn also called on the government through the Gender Ministry to stop closing orphanages across the country.
Instead, he wants the government to help improve these orphanages, which he said will help improve the situation.
The Liberia Orphan Union president said budget meant for orphanages in Liberia which falls under the Gender Ministry has not being used for its intended purpose in recent years, something he wants the current leadership at the ministry to investigate.
“Since last year we have not received anything from the Gender Ministry and we know very well there is money intended for us so, we are calling on the new Minister at Gender Ministry to investigate this issue,” Rev. Stemn said.
For his part, the Country Director of Church without Walls-Liberia, Rev. Darlington N. Doe, added that it is an irony on the part of the government to withdraw support to orphanages in the country while they are at the same time complaining on the higher increase of drug users.
“They do not understand the need of the children that are in those various home, they are there crying with Zogos but do not want to care for the ones that are in the orphanages,” he said.
Rev. Doe noted that the government and the leadership of Orphans’ Union need to sit together and find a way to improve the situation of various orphanages across the country.
Buttressing the Union president about the decision of the Gender Ministry to shut down some Orphanages across the country, Rev. Doe added that going against Orphans or marginalizing them is like going against God.
“So, I am saying that there is a need for a sit down with the orphanages that are in this situation and the government to find out how to improve them instead of closing them down.”
“If the government close down these orphanages or withdraw their support it does not change anything because children are still there as orphans they need to eat and go to the hospital so if you withdraw your support then why should you keep the children there.
“So, my understanding is that if for any reason you want to close down those orphanages because they do not meet the children needs then it is better for you as a government to provide the needs of the children”.
Micheal Freeman, a student of the Sis Iye’s Orphanage, said the celebration of the Day of the African Child should not just be a mere celebration but should be used by government and her partners to improve the lives of the African children especially orphans.