Work underway to provide platform for children

WORK is underway for the National Capital District (NCD) to provide a positive platform for children, according to Governor Powes Parkop
Parkop was responding to The National’s question yesterday regarding his office’s efforts in addressing the increased number of children seen on the streets of Port Moresby.
“Once we finalise the negotiations and take over the Lukautim Pikinini or Children Welfare Office (from the National office of Child and Family Service), we will have a comprehensive programme targeted at such children and also assisting parents to provide positive platform for children,” he said.
“At the moment, the Office of Child Welfare has carriage of the response to so-called street children working in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund.”
Parkop said while waiting, the NCD Commission had introduced programmes targeting children.
He said the commission had two children programmes under the “active city” programme, initially the “street ministry” programme.
NCDC now has the “pikinini pilai” programme that provides activities for children, especially physical activity and a feeding programme that provide healthy food for the children.
Parkop said “pikinini pilai” was a pilot project.
“At this time, we have yet to assess its impact,” he said.
“We also have an early childhood education programme for the children to get basic elementary and primary education where the established schools cannot reach.”