Sanatha Balyam: Good response for foster care plan

KOZHIKODE: Authorities are receiving an overwhelming response for the foster care programme, Sanatha Balyam. Started in Thiruvananthapuram, the project in other districts are also picking up according to the availability of children fit for foster care. Twenty-nine children were identified in Thiruvananthapuram and as of now 180 responses came. In Kollam, 28 children were identified, and 15 couples had expressed interest. In Kozhikode, five children who are under foster care are continuing with their foster parents.

In Kannur four and Kasargod two children are with foster families. “We are getting responses from across the state. The consultation with orphanages is on to find more children fit for care,” said Thiruvananthapuram district child protection officer (DCPO) Zubair K.K. DCPOs say a good number of respondents are those who lack an emotional bonding in life. “They include divorced or deserted wives, widows, elders whose children have settled abroad. They have money and health, but they lack the warmth of a child around,” says Zubair.

At the other end, the institutionalised children crave for a homely atmosphere and authorities try to bridge these two. The vacation care started now would be extended to long-term program and further to adoption provided both the child and parents share a good rapport. “Always adoption and long-term foster care are better. Short term care can cause mental stress on the child while returning. So proper counselling should be given to both,” says Madhuri S. Bose, Kasargod Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairperson. The programme covers children in the age group of 5-18.