Nairobi, 11 July 2013…
The Child Welfare Society of Kenya today launched a nationwide public appeal aimed at uniting lost and abandoned children with their parents and guardians.
This appeal is under the Child tracing and reunification programme of CWSK and is seeking to unite 126 children aged between zero and nine years currently under their care.
Speaking during the launch event, CWSK Executive director, Ms Irene Mureithi said the programme will involve tracing and reuniting children and parents – who have been separated from each other for one reason or another.
“CWSK believes that the best place for the children is with their families. We will carry out a rigorous process of tracing, identifying and unifying the separated children with their families both locally and internationally.”
Ms Mureithi further said the programme will be effectively conducted through the use of the 47 CWSK branch network across the country and in their 102 sites.
“Internationally, CWSK has been involved in provision of the same service through the International Social Service (ISS) and its affiliate branches located in over 150 different countries of the world. CWSK is a member of the ISS and its representative in East Africa. Over the years individuals and families have come to appreciate the role played by this programme” she said.
She noted that CWSK was aware that children are separated from caregivers for various reasons, such as getting lost, abandonment, natural disasters or accidents.
In 2008 CWSK and partners registered 8,165 children separated due to the post-election violence reunifying 6,165 of them with their parents/guardians. This was successful due to utilization of the skilled staff trained to provide these services. In addition, 52,112 children were provided with warm clothing, child specific food, infant items, play materials, as well as lactating mothers’ food.
“This unification program is a key program that CWSK will focus on this year to ensure that the children welfare is safeguarded; this has been made possible by the increased funding from Government to the Child’s welfare society of Kenya”
About The Child Welfare Society of Kenya
Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK) is a gazetted government agency for the care, protection and control of children vide gazette notice 1768 of 19/12/1955, an exempt society gazette notice 1536 of 04/11/1955 and certificate of exemption from registration number 455.
It is the National Adoption Society of Kenya vide gazette notice No. 1356 of 28/4/1969
His Excellency, Honourable Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, is the Society’s Patron. CWSK has a statutory responsibility to provide services to all marginalized children across all social sectors in line with Section 53 of the constitution and Section 45 on the family. Its programmes are tailored to meet the affirmative action necessary for the children to access welfare services across the country.CWSK programmes have been focused on the following: protection of children in emergencies i.e Emergency Preparedness and Response, Rapid Rescue and Response of separated children, in addition to Advocacy, HIV/AIDs, adoption of children, foster care for orphans and other vulnerable children, child labour, street children, ten places of safety (rescue shelters), vocational training, child rights and community empowerment, early childhood education, primary, secondary and university sponsorship, and other education opportunities. CWSK is also a member of the international Social Services, the global professional body of social workers, which has a membership of 150 countries.
Geographical coverage
Child Welfare Society of Kenya runs its programmes across all 47 counties in Kenya and has a total of 102 sites within these counties. There are branch offices in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kiambu, Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kajiado, Kericho, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay Migori, Kisii, Nyamira and Nairobi.
If you are looking for a lost child or have any information regarding any of the lost children get in touch with CWSK contact the head office on Telephones: 0206003301/0206003391/0726298921
Email: info@cwsk.go.ke
Or visit any of the nearest CWSK offices in your county.