SOS Children’s Villages in Zambia has launched its five year strategic plan intended to guide its social service initiatives towards the warfare of the children.
Speaking during the launch, Minister of Community Development and Social Services Doreen Mwamba has challenged SOS children’s village to implement the strategy by ensuring that all the set priorities are delivered.
Ms Mwamba stressed that the government under the new dawn administration is committed to uplifting the living standards of people especially the vulnerable through the implementation of various social protection programs across the country.
Ms Mwamba in a speech read for her by Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Director Planning Patrick Choolwe, added that the government will continue to support and promote sustainable alternative care system for children in need of care and protection.
She pointed out that the children’s care code Act of 2022 has also been put in place to protect the rights of children in Zambia.
Ms Mwamba said SOS children’s villages are supplementing the government’s efforts in promoting and protecting the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the rights of children.
She urged SOS children’s villages to effectively implement the strategy as this is a roadmap that will guide the organization in its mission to transform into a recognized leader in innovative alternative care and family strengthening and a voice in influencing policies for care of children in line with international standards.
And SOS children’s villages in Zambia Board chairperson Joseph Nakaanga explained that the strategic plan seeks to demonstrate how the organization will commit itself to the service of the children within the strategic plan period and beyond.
He said the best place to raise children into responsible adults is through the family and community
Mr Nakaanga has highlighted that the programming has taken a strategic shift to ensure that children are safe and not neglected in the streets emphasizing the importance of building families for children in need and helping them shape their own future.
He said this will be done through partnership and community development riding on policies that shift from institutional care to family centered care.
“Our role has changed from direct providers of health-care and education services to that of facilitator and enablers, as part of transformative process we have given government the opportunity to manage our schools at Kitwe, Chipata, Lusaka and Livingstone while we return ownership of infrastructure this is part of the institutions contribution to the free education policy of government’’ he said
Mr Nakaanga adds that these activities fall within government policy enshrined in the 8th National Development plan and within several local and international child centered networks.