KUWAIT CITY, April 2: Director of the Elderly Care Department at the Ministry of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Enezi revealed that the department has many plans, development projects and humanitarian initiatives to improve the quality of life for the elderly. In a press statement, Al-Enezi stressed that “no matter what we do for this dear group, we are still failing our parents. We hope to repay them for what they have given to the country and its people”. He disclosed that the department is currently working on the ‘Family Gathering’ project -- which was launched by Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah -- to transform it into a broader initiative called, ‘Returning Home’. He explained that through this initiative, the wards of the family nursery will be constantly present with the elderly in order to develop the psychological and social aspects of both the elderly and the children. On the other hand, Director of the Family Nursery Department Dr. Saad Al-Shabo stated that the department is expanding the ‘Substitute Mother’ and ‘Substitute Father’ projects; following the success of the pilot initiatives.

“We are committed to expand these projects, including the large school for children, which will open soon in the Social Care Homes Complex. The two-storey school will offer various educational services. We implemented this project in coordination with the Ministry of Education, particularly with regard to the educational programs and activities,” he added. He also confirmed the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Public Authority for Minors Affairs (PAMA) at the authority’s headquarters in the presence of Assistant Undersecretary for the Social Welfare Sector Dr. Jassim Al-Kandari. He said the agreement aims to expand the ‘Substitute Mother’ project with a budget of KD100,000. On the current number of substitute mothers, he said “there are four substitute mothers and two fathers. We are in the process of increasing these numbers.”

He added the department is currently sorting a large number of job applications; indicating the applicants must be qualified and experienced, capable of handling the work like the need for the surrogate mother’s presence in the children’s home five days a week, and full awareness of the nature of the work and being psychologically prepared for it. On the number of wards, he disclosed the number of children in the orphanage reached 32; while the number of adults is constantly changing due to their ability to be independent in and outside the social care homes

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff