JAPEM calls for temporary foster parents

OFFICIALS of the Community Development Department (JAPEM) yesterday announced that its temporary foster care scheme for children, including teenagers below 18 years old, has ensured they lead a harmonious life.

In a briefing held at Citra Budaya Hall in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports building,

JAPEM Director Hjh Misnah Hj Bolhasan said in her opening remarks that this new scheme is an alternative to the protection and care that is being provided in institutions such as welfare homes, where sometimes the atmosphere offers less kinship and affection.

In Brunei, she added, children's foster care programme has yet to be carried out as most of the children who need protection are placed in JAPEM's welfare homes.

"We hope that after the briefing on the temporary foster care scheme, InsyaAllah it will open our hearts to come forward to register as foster families solely to help children who need love and affection from a happy and harmonious family," said Hjh Misnah.

The briefing, which was conducted as part of JAPEM's roadshows to familiarise the temporary foster care scheme to the public, was delivered by Acting Assistant Director of JAPEM Hjh Siti Aynah Hj Md Yaakub.

Hjh Siti Aynah said that though the scheme is new to Brunei, foster care programmes have been adopted in various parts of the western world.

The temporary foster care scheme is offered to JAPEM's clients. Under the scheme, she added, the children will stay with their foster families who will play the roles of mother and father in temporary care.

"The reason why this scheme was introduced is for the benefit of the children's growth," said Hjh Siti Aynah. To apply to become foster parents, applicants must be husband and wife, who are Brunei citizens and who are Muslims, she explained, adding that they must be capable adults, and mentally and physically healthy. Also, it is required that the wife is a homemaker (if she works, a maid should be available).

The family must not have children below three years old and must be free from any infectious diseases.

The applicants should also have a fixed income sufficient to support their foster child. They must also demonstrate a caring and loving nature.

Those who are interested may fill out the application form which can be obtained at JAPEM. All applications will be looked into by JAPEM so as to protect the interest of the children.

She said that the process would take about a month before successful applicants become certified foster parents.

In a statement provided during the event, JAPEM said the temporary foster care scheme is being carried out to support the provision under the Children and Young Persons Order 2006 Chapter 2 (a) - (h). Referring to this order, the children mentioned are those who, among others, are categorised as: children who are protected from abusive and negligent family members, children whose mothers are not capable of nurturing them because the mother also lives under the protection of JAPEM welfare home or those who face personal problems including children born of incestuous relationships; children whose parents are incapable of looking after them due to health issues or poverty; children whose legal guardianship has yet determined by the court after the parents have divorced and children whose parents are separated because of different religions, such as one of the parent having embraced Islam.

The Brunei Times