200 CHILDREN RETURN FROM ORPHANAGES TO THEIR FAMILIES EVERY YEAR THANKS TO ASSISTANCE TO VULNERABLE FAMILIES
Noyan Tapan
Nov 28 2007
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. There are now 8 state orphanages in
Armenia, with nearly 900 children living there. 5 charitable orphanages
operate in the country. During the November 28 press conference, Lala
Ghazarian, the head of the department on problems of families, women
and children of the RA ministry of labor and social issues, said that
these orphanages take bnot only children left without parental care
but also those from vulnerable families. According to her, every year
200 children return to their parents thanks to the policy adopted by
the government – the assistance provided to such families.
L. Ghazarian said that the order of admission to orphanages has been
made stricter as there are currently 7 boarding institutions for
children from vulnerable families. She expressed an opinion that the
number of orphanages should be reduced because children should live and
receive upbringing in their families. With this aim the government is
implementing a number of programs, aimed, in particular, at creating
the institution of guardian family in Armenia. She said that such pilot
programs have already been implemented in Lori and Gegharkunik marzes,
as a result of which 25 children were placed in gurdian families.
The department head attached importance to programs on state assistance
to orphanage leavers. Under these programs, orphanage leavers receive
the necessary work, education and medical aid. Over the past two years,
120 leavers of orphanages got apartments thanks to state assistance.