President Dr Mohamed Waheed has said that those seeking to provide long term guardianship and foster a child, should be given the opportunity. The President made this remark while speaking at the ceremony held today at the children’s shelter, Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa, to inaugurate the Computer Lab and Library at the Centre.
Noting that a minority of the children’s population was in State care, the President said that the Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa was established by the government to provide short term fostering facility to these children.
Continuing in this regard, the President noted that the government objective should be to return the children to their families. However, he said that if the circumstance does not allow for the family to take care of them, the children would be under the guardianship of the State.
Underscoring that children have rights of their own, President Waheed said that it was the parents’ and guardians’ responsibility, as well as a religious and national obligation, to provide our children with education and healthcare.
Remarking on the importance of the newly inaugurated programmes at Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa, President expressed hope that these programmes would contribute to enhancing the lives of children at the Centre. The President expressed his gratitude for all the assistance received in undertaking these programmes.
After his speech, President launched the tree planting project and officially opened the Computer Lab at Kuda Kudhinge Hiyaa. He also inaugurated the Leadership Programme, Art Class and Literacy Programmes at the Centre.
