Church official notes trend in family breakups

FAMILIES breaking up is becoming a trend and the problem is affecting many children and youths that needs immediate attention, an Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) official says.
ELC non-formal education coordinator Duaro Embi said they were trying to develop programmes that helped families facing domestic violence and issues leading up to breakups.
“The church doesn’t agree on divorce so, at all costs, we are trying our best to provide a space for them to make amendments and understand their issue and coming to agree to solve their problems.”
Embi said they were doing surveys and collecting information on congregations on how they want the church to address and respond to such issue of domestic violence and related family issues.
He said the church was trying to create a programme called family safe house.
“We are trying to create a safe place for families and for everyone, including the general public to get help,” he said.
“It doesn’t mean that only women and children, no. We include men too, so we want to call it family safe house.
“A place where families can come in and get help.”
Embi said the church was planning to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Office of Child and Family Service in the Community Development Department.
“Government agencies are playing their part, international agencies are playing their part and the church too has to play their part and through that MOU we can work with the Government hand in hand,” he said. “It’s a step forward.”