A good question that is often asked is, “When do children exit (graduate) from Faith Children’s Village?”  Today we wanted to share with you the way each child is evaluated once they turn 18yrs old.

CHILDREN 18YRS OLD OR OLDER WHO WISH TO EXIT

Every year end, FCV will open its doors to all those children who have attained the age of 18 to graduate from the Village (exit) and be re-united with their extended families.  FCV will inform all those desiring to graduate when they will graduate.

As they exit FCV will plan a graduation ceremony for them which will be their official send-off.

CHILDREN 18YRS OR OLDER BUT DESIRES TO STAY

Each child who is above the age of 18, but desires to stay at FCV because they have not yet finished their high school education has the right to apply for an extension.  These children will be required to fill in an application for extension form which will be subject for approval or decline by FCV management based on the applicant’s actions and attitudes in the past. If granted the extension be valid for 12months (1Jan – 31Dec).

CHILDREN UNDER 18YRS OLD BUT DESIRES TO EXIT

FCV retains the legal custody to all children under the age of 18 in accordance to the statutory regulations of the Zambian Government through the District Social Welfare Office. If there are extended family members who would like to take custody of the child, they will are required to fill in an application to exit form in which they will have to state clearly WHY they want to have the child. This application will have to be handed in 3 months before proposed date of exit in which FCV management will carry out the necessary investigations on the matter before drawing up a conclusion. Not every application will be approved by management, only special cases will be considered meaning, valid reasons must be stated in the applications.

ZAMBIA ORPHANAGE – Department of Social Services

The Government through the department of Social welfare has derived several alternatives that we may opt for after the child has attained 18 years.

ALTERNATIVE #1

At 18yrs, children should be taken back to their families according to social welfare regulations.

ALTERNATIVE #2

All children who are above the age of 18 must not live with children who are below that age. When a child attains such an age (18), and family is not found; it is the responsibility of Government through Department of Social welfare to determine the next course of direction.

ALTERNATIVE #3

If by ‘’actions and attitudes” the child agrees to continue their stay (after attaining 18), and FCV management considers their request to stay on, then this child will be relocated to a separate dormitory until such a time they complete their school/college and decide to exit. Dormitory admission will be subject to annual renewal, a child will reaffirm his/her desire to stay on by filling the Application for Extension form, if not then they are stating they want to exit.

All those children who get credits or better on grade 12 exams will automatically be eligible for bursary to all government universities and colleges.  Faith Children’s Village will work in conjunction with Department of Social Welfare to help send this child for higher education (college/University).

ALTERNATIVE #4

For those children who won’t pass exams at grade 9 and 12, FCV will help set them up in skills training institutions (e.g. carpentry, tailoring, Farming). So that they can learn any form of trade they choose from what is available. When these kids go on break from their respective training Sites, Colleges and Universities, they can come back home to (FCV) for their holidays and/or even go and live with relatives if arranged with managemnt.

Through this Exit Plan, we hope to answer a lot of questions concerning a child’s future.  This entails that all stake holders are fully aware of the happenings concerning a specific child.
For more information please contact the Director of Faith Children’s Village, PO.Box 21388 Kitwe. mchilando@gmail.com