Churches urged to partner govt

CHURCHES have been encouraged to partner with the State in providing support for the out-of-home initiative under the Lukautim Pikinini Act.
Department of Religion, Youth and Community Development Secretary Anna Solomon said in Port Moresby “we would like to go beyond health and education and look at child protection”.
“There are many social issues affecting our families, issues such as gender-based violence, conflict mediation, drugs and alcohol,” she said.
She said social issues were affecting many children. And in most cases, children are being neglected and do not know where to go.
She called on churches to help take care of children with special needs.
“We want to know who is already out there doing things and the Government will come in and help,” said Solomon. Two licences were presented to the St Mary’s out-of-home care centre in Mount Hagen and
the St Francis’s Care Home in Mendi under the Lukautim Pikinini Act.
These two centres are looking after children living with HIV, orphans, victims of sorcery-related violence and neglected children.
“We would like churches to go in this type of partnership with the Government.”
She thanked the Catholic church for implementing the out of home care provision in its diocese.