Guatemalan Child Return Project Launched!
- Friday, October 08, 2010 |
- Written by Megan Mckenna
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Unaccompanied children from Guatemala who are returning home will be able to participate in KIND's pilot project to help them get home safely and to re-integrate into their community. After several months of planning, our Guatemalan Child Return and Reintegration Project (GCRRP), which is a joint project with The Global Fund for Children, started accepting referrals in late September. Guatemalan children who have chosen to return home, who have taken "voluntary departure" or who have been ordered deported are eligible for the program.
Each participant will take part in a thorough assessment conducted by the GCRRP caseworker, and will consequently be offered a range of services by one of KIND's partner nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) upon her/his arrival in Guatemala. Some of the children may be reunified with their parents or a family member, while others will stay in a shelter until a more suitable placement is identified. KIND aims to serve approximately 10-15 children before the end of 2010.
To date, The Global Fund for Children has identified one partner NGO in Guatemala. This agency, El Refugio de la Niñez, is located in Guatemala City and provides services including shelter, counseling, educational support and other assistance to families in all regions of Guatemala. GCRRP staff has been communicating regularly with El Refugio de la Niñez to create a culturally appropriate and effective referral process.
KIND and GFC anticipate up to four additional NGOs joining the project in the next months, through which GCRRP will be able to offer a greater range of services to returning children.
