Care centre releases 45 orphans back to community

By MICHELLE AMBA
THE El Rafa Care Centre in Minj, Jiwaka, released 45 orphans back into the community last week.
The centre caters for orphans whose parents have died of HIV/AIDS.
It is run and operated by the Evangelical Brotherhood Church and supported through the Swiss Evangelical Brotherhood Mission.
Since opening in 2004, the centre has cared for about 200 orphans altogether.
In a small but moving ceremony on Wednesday, most orphans, who are now young men and women, spoke highly of the centre and how it had helped them over the years.
Johnny Boma, now a father, said he met his wife at the centre.
“I lost both parents at an early age,” he said.
“Without El Rafe, I don’t think I will be who I am today.
“The centre gave me a chance in education and life.
“My school fees since fifth grade were always met by these generous people.”
Counsellor Rachael Kiman said the centre was releasing those who were 15 years old or older.
“We have trained them well to take care of themselves in this challenging world,” she said.
“They leave today armed with a Bible as their guide, and tools and seedlings that will help them start something for themselves.”
She said the orphans leaving the centre were trained to be self-reliant and to work hard.
Kiman said they had conducted awareness programmes in communities to minimise stigma and discrimination.
She said that would help the orphans have a sense of belonging in the community so they could contribute meaningfully to the community’s development.
Kiman said the process meant the young men and women would be going back to their communities and would not return to the centre like in the past.