Our work in Rwanda attracts the attention of The Spectator

06 October 11

Our pioneering project to reform childcare in Rwanda and close its first orphanage has attracted the attention of The Spectator magazine.

Deputy Editor of The Spectator, Mary Wakefield, recently paid a visit to our project to see for herself how we are transforming children’s lives and childcare practices throughout the country. Mary's article appears today, Thursday 6 October, in The Spectator magazine.

In January this year we began the process of closing the Mpore PEFA institution in the capital Kigali, the first step in a national programme to close all 34 institutions in the country and set up sustainable, family-based care for children.

Since our team began working in PEFA, 24 children have been moved out of the institution – two have been reintegrated with their biological parents while 16 have been reintegrated into their extended family. Three children who could not be reunited with their birth families have been placed in foster care and three young adults who were living in the institution have been supported by our team to begin living independently.

“It was heart-breaking to see children either totally ignored or clamouring to be hugged,” said Mary. ‘But it was wonderful to know that the Hope and Homes for Children team were on the case like detectives, tracking down their families and finding them homes.’’

“Before my visit I had no idea that most institutionalised children were not actually ‘orphans’ and had parents or grandparents. I now understand the immense difference between an institution and a family. The reintegrated children I met looked proud; they suddenly belonged. Hope and Homes for Children has really given me new faith in charities.”

Read Mary's article, "How to fix orphanages" and watch a short film of her visit above.