Great progress has been made in the project of giving Thika Children’s Rescue Centre a facelift following the disbursement of funds by the State Department for Social Protection.
Speaking during a visit to the home to view the renovations progress, State Department of Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari said that the objective of the project was to make the home more habitable and friendly for the children.
“We have noted that the facility, which shelters more than 800 neglected and orphaned children, has been in a state of neglect for quite a long time. I, however, absolve the management of the institution from any blame as the condition of the home is as a result of underfunding in the past. We are rectifying the situation by taking over the renovation of the facility such that the children who reside here can have a wonderful place to call home,” he said.
The PS stated that the government was committed to the advancement of social protection for all Kenyans, especially the marginalised and vulnerable, like children and the elderly.
“We commend the teachers and management of the institution for the great work they have been doing with the little they have been given. Most of the issues they have been experiencing have been as a result of financial difficulties, and we plan to address this with immediate effect. Great changes will be made, and we will start by constructing a perimeter wall around the institution for security purposes. The facility will also be painted, and additionally, the roofs, classrooms, and damaged furniture will be repaired as well. Water tanks will also be installed to ensure that the institution maintains the required standards of hygiene necessary for a place of such magnitude,” said Motari.
Plans are also underway for the construction of a public rehabilitation centre on the land to facilitate the reintegration of the youth who struggle with substance abuse issues, as the current rehabilitation centres available in the area are all privately owned and have proven expensive for the rescue centre.
Speaking to the press during the launch of the renovation process, centre Manager Wycliffe Watibini expressed gratitude and lauded the move saying it was long overdue.
“The facility is quite large, seeing as it is on 25 acres of land. A lot of the buildings are rundown and require repair or replacement, a venture that was difficult for us as we did not have the resources needed for this kind of overhaul. I’m glad to say that this is now in the past and in the coming months the children will have a favourable environment for them to call home, that will also be conducive to their studies,” he said.
The renovation project is in line with the government’s social protection agenda of ensuring that all Kenyans live in dignity and exploit their human capabilities for their own social and economic development.
By Hellen Lunalo
