Update on Orphanage Closure in Kutaisi

KUTAISI was selected by the government as one of the two showcase sites
for Child Welfare reform. The target is to achieve at least 50% reduction in
numbers of children living in large scale residential institutions and 90% of
all new referrals for placement into state care will be diverted to family
support and/or family/community based family substitute services by the
end of 2009.

The Ministry of Education & Social Services by 2008 had closed the Brotseula
Orphanage, where app. 50 children lived. Most of children were
reintegrated with their biological families; some were placed in long-term
foster care. A few children, mostly from Samegrelo (a neighbouring region)
were placed in another residential institution in Zugdidi.

The SOCIAL WORKERS of the KUTAISI team are doing the comprehensive
assessments of all children living in residential institutions in order to find
the most appropriate family/based care solutions for them and further
progress with closure of large scale residential institutions in KUTAISI (and
nearby villages).

There is an ongoing public awareness campaign to attract more foster
careers and raise community’s awareness on foster care. Several NGOs are
working with the government to develop new family support and family
substitute care services including small group home, school based extended
day care services, home care and respite care services for disabled etc.

Andro Dadiani – EveryChild In-Country Director Feb 2009

Everychild website