It is a happy day when a resident child of IGF is able to move back home to live with their family or relatives. At the end of 2018, up to 17 children that had been residing at IGF returned to their families or moved out to start living on their own.
There are many reasons why children are rescued and provided full-time care at IGF. For some children it is to escape violent and abusive environments, for others it is because there is no parent or guardian, or extreme poverty prohibits the provision of basic care, food, clothing and education.
IGF does not operate an orphanage, but provides residential care to at-risk children when necessary. Some children live at IGF for only 1 or 2 years until the situation at home has settled and improved, while others remain at IGF for longer periods. Regardless of the reason why a child has been rescued, connections with the child’s family or relatives are maintained whenever possible and safe. Many resident children return home over the school holidays to visit family and relatives. Although, for some children, there is not a safe home for them to visit. Throughout 2018, IGF worked with a number of families and resident children in preparing for them to return home. The transition for most has been exciting, some have been at IGF since they were young and have now returned home as teenagers. All those that have been re-integrated back to their families or that have moved out to live on their own, will continue to be supported by IGF in various ways, including support to continue their education. It is a positive and joyous occasion when a child that was once at high-risk, can now return home to their family or relatives!
