Tura, Aug 30: In a concerning discovery, the State government run Children’s Home for Boys and Girls in Garo Hills are grappling with severe financial crunch since May, this year.

Run by the Department of Social Welfare, these children’s homes play a crucial role in providing care, support, and protection to children who are in need of a safe and nurturing environment due to various reasons. These homes serve as a temporary or long-term residence for children who may be orphaned, abandoned, neglected, abused, or whose families are unable to provide for their basic needs. These homes ensure that such children are provided with proper shelter, security, educational and emotional support, healthcare, skill development, and even family integration and legal protection.

However, due to the current financial crisis, just sustaining the children has become a huge challenge, while other facilities are far from reach.

But the Superintendents of these homes have shown immense compassion by using their own money to keep the homes running and ensure that the children atleast get “proper food” and the operation of the homes.

It may be mentioned that the funding for the homes is on 90:10 ratio, with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) contributing 90 per cent of the funds and state government covering the remaining 10 per cent.

However, since May 2023, the funds have seemingly dried up, causing a significant strain on the operational capabilities of the State Children’s Homes.

In an exclusive interview with Hub News, the Superintendent of the Children’s Home for Boys located in Tura, talked about the challenges they have been facing for the past 4 months. “We have 8 boys here and we have to feed them, send them to school. For now, we are managing though donations and help. The fund crunch is a worrisome affair as we have to manage the boys, staff, salary as well as running of the office,” he informed.

The superintendent further emphasized that this issue is not unique to their Children’s Home alone, but extends to other homes for girls across the region. “It is not only our Children’s Home; other Homes for girls has the same problem. Not only here but other districts also are facing the same problem,” he lamented.

At a time when emphasis is being given to child rights and welfare in the country, the current financial shortage has raised alarm bells within concerned circles.

People are asking questions to the heads of the Department of Social Welfare on the reasons for the funding crisis and to resolve it promptly.

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