The Reintegration Plan for Home Family Reintegration of Children at Risk: CWIN Experience Madhav Pradhan Chairperson, CWIN-Nepal, CZOP and C-Net

CWIN's belief Children must be a concern of everybody including the family, community and most importantly the State. This belief led us to pioneer the concept of social reintegration of children living and working in risk situations such as child workers, children in the streets, child survivors of physical sexual and emotional abuse in Nepal.

How children came in contact CWIN-Nepal started the first transit centres for boys and girls in Nepal They came in contact with CWIN through, the Child Helpline the police and social workers Network of civil society organisations

CWIN focused on social reintegration To take back children who were separated with families for long time such as children working in urban centres, survivors of trafficking and children in the streets was very challenging as they were practices of institutionalised/simply put into “orphanages“ CWIN has achieved an overwhelming success in family reintegration. It was able to reintegrate 84% of the children into their families (immediate family and kinship care)

The process for family reintegration The first step was to prepare the children. The children in the transit homes received psycho-social support and were made aware of their rights, understand the value of a family and community and of family reintegration. (Participatory Drama Therapy was particularly effective) In addition, child participatory activities like Child Rights Forum, kitchen club and recreational activities and informal classes helped children regain their self esteem

The second step The second step included field visits and family visits made by the social workers to trace the families, dialogue for family reintegration to prepare the family members so that the children are received willingly. Social workers also provided family counselling.  This step also included preparing the community as well by initiating dialogue with the community to make them aware about situation of childdren and to make the community welcome children back into the society

The next step: Family strengthening The social workers link families with available opportunities and services from the government and non- government sectors for social security. CWIN also provided income generation support to families in need for their livelihood, especially focusing on women. Almost all the children who got family reintegration are provided with educational support up to the high school by CWIN to ensure that they are retaining in school and that are not separated from family again.

The most important step: Children’s Engagement Eventually, the entire process is made participatory. Children's views are considered while taking a decision about their future and social reintegration. At every step, children were informed and empowered to make confirmed choices. What is more, children were empowered so that they are integrated as equal members of the Nepalese society

Challenges 9 The attitude among the duty bearers for ‘easy’ way out make them opt for institutionalisation of children The families have enormous issues such as economic deprivation, marginalisation, social discrimination, unemployment, family disintegration, lack of access to public health and other facilities which force them to send away their children to fend for themselves They sometimes are not in a position to take responsibility of their own children even if they want to due to all other persisting social problems There is no social security system that help the families to lead a dignified life There are limited opportunities for children and young people in the villages and they are attracted to city life

The Reintegration Plan for Home Thank you & Namaste