Govt drafting policy for
orphaned, neglected youth
PHILIPSBURG--Although the care for orphaned and neglected youth currently falls under the Central Government, the Island Government is currently drafting a policy for facilities that cater to this group of children.
This is especially needed in light of the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles and St. Maarten’s impending constitutional changes.
“The Island Government is also doing what it needs to for these homes, by drafting a general policy because, while the focus is now on two of the existing homes (I Can Foundation and Crystal Children’s Home), there are also other such homes as well as others in the making so there needs to be a clear policy to define when someone can come into consideration for government assistance for such a home,” Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams said Wednesday.
She said although persons and institutions that cater to orphaned and neglected youth may have “the best” intentions, “it cannot be a free for all.”
She said too that it’s important that these organisations work together for increased effectiveness. While housing is important for orphaned and neglected youth, she continued, these children need many more facilities.
The issue of homes and individuals that cater to orphaned and neglected youths was raised after Wednesday’s front page article about the eviction notice served on Multi-Purpose Organisation (MPO), which is responsible for Crystal Children’s Home.
Some sixteen orphaned teens and an eight-year-old are among the residents of the Home who may very well end up on the streets if a speedy solution is not found for their housing situation by Tuesday, January15. The home, which is financed primarily by community sponsorship, is in three months’ arrears with its US $3,500 per month rent – a total of US $10,500.
MPO officials have been hunting for alternative accommodation since they received the eviction notice in June last year. MPO is hoping to purchase an eight-bedroom home that is up for sale in the St. John’s area, a stone’s throw from Crystal’s current location, but this property costs US $850,000 – some US $405,556 more than the funds allocated for the home under the harbour shares buyback programme.
