Fostering and reunification
Program overview:
Given the huge demand for places at Mkombozi's residential centre, and given that residential care cannot effectively meet the special needs of certain children, Mkombozi’s priority is to improve the outflow of children from care.
We are actively investigating alternative, family-based care options for vulnerable children. For instance, we are piloting the recruitment, screening and training of 80 foster carers who will then be able to offer family-based care for street children. This will be done in collaboration with the Municipal Council and Social Welfare Department.
Continued efforts will also be made to reunify 50 street children a year with their families.
Current fostering and reunification team targets:
- To compile a literature review of fostering experiences and disseminate to Moshi and Arusha local government authorities (LGA) and Social Welfare Department during a "learning meeting".
- To have 16 children temporarily "fostered" over the Christmas period (as in 2005 and 2006).
- To host a sensitization meeting with social services sub-committee of Moshi and Arusha LGA on the potential of strengthening foster care in Tanzania.
- To host workshops to develop the procedures for strengthening foster care in Kilimanjaro and Arusha Regions.
- To reunite 50 children with their families each year (and / or support the rebuilding of their familial relationships).
- To recruit, screen and train 20 foster parents, and to place 10 children in care as a pilot.
- Progressive up-scaling of fostering from 40 parents and 20 children, to 60 parents and 30 children, to 80 parents and 40 children.
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