Our visit to St Joseph's Rehabilitation Centre on 8th July coincided with a training workshop for caregivers (including some parents) of the children who had been living on the street but are now in the care of KOFUP's rehabilitation programme in Luanda. The workshop was led by an officer from the Child Welfare Society of Kenya and dealt with children's rights, child protection, parental responsibilities and other issues.
The task of the rehabilitation centre is to trace the families of children found living on the streets, to mediate between them and, ultimately, to reunify them. Caregivers were encouraged to come to the centre frequently to help the reconciliation process and to foster bonding.
Currently there are 126 children in the programme, of whom 18 are living in the centre. The other 108 are living with their caregivers and are constantly monitored and supported by the staff at the centre.
Post-workshop group photo.