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SO MANY NEEDS, SO
LITTLE MEANS ...
So far, a
lot has been achieved (see " ACHIEVEMENTS")
since the group and the centre came into existence but many
challenges are still ahead. These problems are material, human and
financial.
MATERIAL NEEDS:
There is a general lack of equipment for the various departments.
There is need for more computers for the computer department; more
sewing machines, a zigzag, embroidery, and button-hole machines for
the dressmaking department; the Psychiatric Centre needs more drugs
for the treatment of its patients.
HUMAN NEEDS:
Skilled individuals are the brain and arms of the centre, yet the
staff is not complete yet. International volunteers would be highly
welcome to bring expertise and encouragements to the department's
management and students. A professional carpenter is needed to teach
modern carpentry know-how and design. The centre's organisation
needs to be rigorously set up by a business professional, to meet
international governance standards.
FINANCIAL NEEDS:
- On a day-to-day basis, the centre struggles to be
self-reliant and to raise money to feed the children and to pay
school fees and uniforms for the younger ones. So far, most of the
operational funds were provided by the founder of Berikids herself.
However, her private resources are close to exhaustion and external
support is highly needed.
- Single mothers lack funds to open up small-scale
lucrative businesses that will make them self-reliant. Since they
remain unable to satisfy their basic wants and those of their
children, they remain vulnerable to social hazards, thus facing the
risk of bearing more unwanted children and being infected with
HIV/AIDS.
- There is a lack of adequate funds to complete the
construction and rehabilitation of the centre’s structures. The
building was recently roofed, plastered and cemented, however it
still needs strong doors and window protectors to avoid burglary.
The newly constructed four roomed and un-roofed apartment needs to
be roofed, plastered, cemented with strong doors and windows, and
furnished for a dormitory and kitchen for the centre. More funds are
equally needed to erect more buildings to house more orphans and
vulnerable children as their number is sure to increase with time.
- The centre cannot face exceptional expenses, e.g.
the carpentry workshop has its electrical machines immobilized
because it is unable to pay an old and important electricity bill.
Since the machines cannot be used, the workshop is not operating at
its full capacity thus cannot be self-reliant. |
