Kozhikode: As many as 10 children, including four girls, have been sent to two-month vacation foster care under the district child protection unit and the district child welfare committee in Malappuram this time. The children range from 4.5 years to 14 years of age.
"The children were sent to 10 separate families. Of that, two families have the same kids they took under foster care the last vacation. All children were allowed to interact with foster parents," says Fasal Pullat, protection officer (non-institutional care) at the Women and Child Development department.
The 10 children are from four various care homes of the district. The district child protection authorities will visit each family once in two weeks and submit a report. "All children who have experience of short-term foster care programme are enthusiastic to go for a second round. They imbibe several things from a real family life than from an institutionalised life. That is very important," says Mr Pullat.
Foster parents are also eagerly waiting for the vacation to get their 'kids' back at home. Though the programme is for two months, authorities can extend the time depending upon the needs of both the child and the parent. Malappuram child welfare committee chairman Advocate Shajesh Bhaskar inaugurated the 'farewell function' of children in Malappuram. DCPO Geethanjali, District Probation Officer Samir Machingal, Mohammad Salih among others spoke.
