Family development and child welfare

The issue of child abandonment in Africa is worrisome and the surge is alarming as years goes by. This dilemma is being overlooked by many African countries and its lack of attention is a cause for concern.  In South Africa alone, over 10,000 babies are abandoned each year and in some West African countries, up to 20% of newborns are abandoned as stated by (UNICEF) in 2018. Tragically, some of these infants are found dead as a result of this abandonment. 

In a broader perspective, the problem is more disturbing as Africa has over 15 million vulnerable children and orphans across the continent. According to (UNICEF) in 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa has 1.8 million children under 18 living in orphanages or different forms of institutional care facilities. In 2019, (UNICEF) stated that Nigeria had an estimated 6.5 million orphaned children, while Ghana had an estimated 1.1 million in the same year. It is disheartening to note that 60% of these children across Africa has at least one of their parent still living. These children face several difficulties like access to basic education, lack of proper care and basic medical care just to cite a few.

These issues are caused by extreme poverty, economic hardship and inadequate support for families. The Laureal Foundation is dedicated on bridging the gap to ensure that some of these children are back with their families or have a place to call home. We believe that children being with their families are crucial for physical, emotional and psychological development; because this provides them with a strong foundation for a brighter future. Also, we try to provide various means to curb abandonment from happening or even reoccurring.

Across Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria the Laureal Foundation since 2023 has offered various family strengthening programs and children welfare to enhance the overall well-being of families. One of our programs is trying to reunite abandoned children and orphans back with their families which is a herculean task. However we make this possible with certain processes like: getting the children’s background, reason for separation, conduct thorough search to find the child’s family (with the help of social media and local authorities), verification to identify the relationship of potential family members, reunion process (after confirming the family member, provide continuous emotional support to help family rebuild) and in situations where reunion does not work we help provide foster care or possible adoption.

Also, we are devoted in providing welfare for abandoned children and orphans to cater for their well-being. Some of our programs aside reuniting families are providing shelter, food provision, educational programs, medical care and counseling.

So far we have helped to reunite 18 kids, provided homes for 40 children with caring families and given shelter to over 50 children (these children are released when they turn 18 as the law requires). But we ensure that we keep regular contact with them and try to engage them with jobs, skills or further their education so they can fend for themselves.

Join us in strengthening as many families as possible, and also to empower parents with the means and resources to excel in their role to carry out their responsibilities and to be able to give their children the brightest future possible. With your donations and support we can help make Africa better place for many families.