“A community, a society and a nation is judged by the way it treats its weakest members, so nourishment, shelter, love and care should be things that children can take for granted.”
Family of Hope Services (FHS) is situated in in Katutura and help over 450 orphans and vulnerable children, providing them with care, education and a meal a day. For 14 years they’ve been helping orphaned and vulnerable children in Namibia find a better life. Seeing first-hand the effect abandonment and neglect has on the development of a child, 99FM’s MYD Heart sat down with the founder of FHS, Abigail Bachopi to talk about turning abandonment and neglect into love and care.
99FM’s MYD Heart asked :
What is the effect of abandonment and neglect on a child?
“Shelter, love and care, nourishment and comfort are essential for a child’s development. It’s every child’s right in Namibia. Beside the immediate effects, there is a hidden danger of child neglect – the one that may not be apparent for many years but which can stick with a person for their lifetime – it is the risk of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that can affect them psychologically and emotionally in the long-term.”
“Data records through FHS Psychosocial program indicates that more children are neglected than are sexually abused. Percentage indicators are 48% and 13% respectively, with 39% in physical abuse.”
“The short term effects of neglect and abandonment on children include:
- Physical affects – failure of the brain to develop properly due to malnutrition and other medical issues, poor physical health in general which can lead to an array of problems later on.
- Psychological effects – low self-esteem, problems maintaining healthy relationships, depression, eating disorders, suicide attempts, cognitive/learning disabilities, social disabilities, and other issues.
- Behavioural problems such as juvenile delinquency, alcohol and drug abuse, criminal or abusive behaviour”
What does FHS do to assist children that have been abandoned or neglected?
“FHS runs a psychosocial support program that offer :
- Counselling to both children and caregivers in partnership with Lifeline Child line.
- A toy library and play therapy for traumatized children.
- Capacity building on parenting skills and child protection
- Trauma healing for children and youth camps.”
Does a child who has been abandoned or neglected have hope for a future with the right kind of interventions?
“Yes, healing is possible through a system of a care approach which can be a catalyst for change that works strategically in partnership with families and other support systems”
Have you seen stories of transformation in a child’s life through the FHS centre?
“Yes many. One such story will be shared on the MYD Show this week.”
Do you have a message for Namibia, to inspire us to consider the needs of children and not neglect these needs?
“A community, a society and a nation is judged by the way it treats its weakest members, so nourishment, shelter, love and care should be things that children can take for granted.”
If you want to get in touch with FHS to see the amazing work they do or volunteer your time and resources to support their programs, take a look at their website here : Family of Hope Services