Forum talks challenges faced by foster parents, children

SHILLONG, Oct 10: A focus group discussion was organised at St Ann Secondary School, Wahheh Mawpat, East Khasi Hills, by SOS India in collaboration with Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) and Directorate of Social Welfare involving foster parents and children to develop a curriculum for training of foster parents in Meghalaya and also to understand the challenges faced by foster parents and children in Meghalaya.
This programme was inaugurated in the presence of Assistant Director, Social Welfare department, L Lyngdoh, Programme Manager of State Child Protection Society, Iadalin Rapthap, faculty from the School of Social Work, MLCU among others.
Since its inception in 2012, the Foster Care programme has seen no changes. Till date, very few families have opted for foster services with only 39 foster children in Shillong and eight in Ri Bhoi.
The discussion felt that there is a dire need for more families to step out and register themselves for the best interest of the child/children even as it stressed on the importance of following procedures and knowing the guidelines on part of the foster families including caretakers and gain practical knowledge through training on how to best nurture the child/children under their care.