-
Parenting on Female First
Patron of Hope and Homes for Children, Nick Hewer, has lent his voice to the Numb3rs Appeal, designed to raise funds to support vulnerable children and close orphanages across East Africa.
The Apprentice star has recently returned from a six-day visit to the region to see the work the charity is doing on the ground. He witnessed how Hope and Homes for Children are working closely with the Rwandan Government to close down its network of orphanages.
He visited a number of orphanages and experienced the horrific conditions in which some children have to live. He also took time out to meet with families who have been supported by the charity to ensure that vulnerable children grow up in a loving family environment - either through reuniting them with their birth families, or placing them with new foster families.
Nick Hewer, Patron Hope and Homes for Children said: "I have seen first-hand how getting the right support to vulnerable families helps keep them together. It also prevents children going into orphanages in the first place.
"During my visit I was shocked to learn that in Rwanda alone, almost 80 per cent of the 2,500 children who are housed within these orphanages are not even orphans. Many of these children have simply been abandoned. For these children, there has been little hope for them to grow up and lead a productive life.
"But we know that alternative family-based care is not only safer and healthier for these children - it's actually more cost effective than funding orphanages. So we are working hard to ensure these children are not just left to be a number on an orphanage register.
"And by supporting the Numb3rs Appeal, the public really can double the impact they make and ensure these vulnerable children grow up in a loving and healthy environment"
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: "Tens of thousands of children across Africa face growing up in an orphanage, because they have lost their parents or because their families simply can't cope. 'Hope and Homes for Children' is changing this, so every child can have a loving home and family.
"By matching all public donations to the 'Numb3rs' appeal, we will double the difference the charity can make for children in East Africa.
"As a result, 2,500 children who are currently in orphanages will find supportive, secure new homes and over 20,000 families will be given the support they need to stay together, so their children do not become institutionalised in the first place."
The three-month campaign will see all donations made to the Appeal before the 12th December 2014 doubled by the UK government.
Tagged in Parenting children Charity Nick Hewer