(task) Child Protection Communication Initiative for Haiti

GRS Haiti RS

3 cover

children

On Nov 30, 2014, at 4:57 PM, Albert Gomez <albert@icassemblies.com> wrote:

> An amazing lady.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> From: Morgan Wienberg <morgan.2.2@hotmail.com>
>> Date: November 30, 2014 at 1:16:12 PM EST
>> To: Sarah Wilson <sarahwilson_530@hotmail.com>, Karen wienberg <karenwienberg@gmail.com>, Pamela Hine <pamela.hine@gmail.com>, KIM TANNER <tanmch2o@hotmail.com>, Ian Robinson <robpoole@northwestel.net>, Sharon Nehring-Willson <snwillson@yahoo.ca>, Peter Staffelbach <peter.d.staffelbach@gmail.com>, Britton Lense <britton.lense1@gmail.com>, Bdplett <bdplett@gninc.ca>, Sylvia Thomson <sylvia.thomson@cbc.ca>, Earl Trussel <etrussell@pace.edu>, Elaine Smart <esmart@northwestel.net>, "Nevada@northwestel.net" <nevada@northwestel.net>, Sonja Schilling <sonjaschilling@gmail.com>, Anita Fields <afields@thesummitweb.com>, Jamie Wilson <junebuglovebig@gmail.com>, Jamie Johnson <jamie.of.johnson@gmail.com>, A Pritz <alex@potbellymedia.com>, Will Miller <will@potbellymedia.com>, Willice Onyango <willice@internationalyouthcouncil.com>, "anamaria@faf.org" <anamaria@faf.org>, PATRICK SCIARRATTA <psglobal@faf.org>, "klevisa@faf.org" <klevisa@faf.org>, Gidion <whisper.gidion@verizon.net>, Greg Bennick Gmail <gregbennick@gmail.com>
>> Subject: Child Protection Communication Initiative for Haiti
>>
>> Child Protection Communication Initiative for Haiti
>>
>> To whom it may concern:
>>
>> I recognize an immense need and opportunity. A disconnect currently exists between local authorities and international aid bodies, all of whom have the same vision of protecting Haiti’s most vulnerable children… yet who are not unified in their identification of prioritized issues nor methods of addressing such concerns.
>>
>> We must facilitate further communication regarding observations, initiatives, priorities, barriers, and proposed action plans within the Child Protection sector.
>>
>> These concepts must be discussed within each organization or entity wishing to make a difference. They must be discussed among local authorities to create a unified response network acting on child protection. They must be discussed within international bodies striving to intervene. However, to truly create long lasting and widespread change - these concepts should be discussed on a wider level. They should be discussed GLOBALLY. We need communication between the local Child Protection Networks and International Aid entities. I would like to assist in facilitating such communication.
>>
>> In Haiti, a network of authorities and organizations working as primary actors in the Child Protection sector have unified to create the GTPE (Groupe du Travail sur la Protection de l’Enfance). Initially following the 2010 earthquake this group was known as the Child Protection Cluster and was managed by Minustah/ United Nations. It is now known as GTPE and although it still involves the United Nations, it is coordinated and managed by local social services (IBESR). The network meets monthly and collaborates on various initiatives to advance child rights in Haiti. Our organization, Little Footprints, Big Steps, is now involved in this group.
>>
>> How can we facilitate the communication of Child Protection information and ideas between the local GTPE and international aid bodies who have the potential to create significant impact?
>>
>> Why do this? I strongly believe that creating a liaison between the two entities described above will result in a more focussed, sustainable, locally driven & well informed approach to child protection. In addition, it will strengthen and reinforce the capacity of long term, stable networks to validate local governance/ interventions. It will build a more sustainable social security network for Haitian society and increase transparency for international involvement.
>>
>> Let me provide an example of how communication between local authorities and international aid can be a catalyst for increased efficiency and effectiveness in child protection:
>>
>> IBESR (Haitian social services) is currently prioritizing the de-institutionalization of child care in Haiti.
>>
>> IBESR has identified this as a priority for child protection after several years of research and evaluation: In 2010, IBESR initiated a national evaluation of standards within child care facilities such as orphanages. By 2012, this study had elucidated that in a study of approximately 775 orphanages in Haiti… less than half of them were registered/ had authorization to function. Even more concerning: less than half of these orphanages met minimal standards of child care. They were neglecting children, not protecting them.
>>
>> Between 2011 and 2013, IBESR was able to close 45 of these exploitative and neglectful orphanages. Yet as local authorities began to advocate for de-institutionalization of child care and attempted to rescue child victims from these abusive facilities, what did most international aid organizations do? Many of them were investing in building or supporting more institutions for children to go to. Meanwhile, more and more children are being abandoned.
>>
>> Earlier this week, IBESR accompanied my staff in preventing a case of abandonment. A mother of 6 had her boyfriend bring her 8 day old baby to the local hospital, claiming that the child’s mother had died and that the infant had no one to care for him. They wanted the child to go to an orphanage. When the mother and child were taken home, we found that their entire family and community were eager to support the woman with her child.
>>
>> How can we address this? We must bridge the disconnect between GTPE and international aid groups. This includes Governments of various countries interested in intervening, as well as numerous Aid Organizations intending to help protect Haiti’s most vulnerable children.
>>
>> We must inform and involve international entities in local research, initiatives, and action plans so that resources can be funnelled into Haiti with the greatest, most sustainable impact possible. This will reinforce the capacity of local social security networks, while exponentially providing more transparency, efficiency and effectiveness to the efforts of international aid. Finally, it will address children’s rights issues not only on a case-by-case basis, but also on a systemic and national - even global - level.
>>
>> Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions on how to begin such a liaison and facilitate this flow of communication. Any ideas are welcomed!
>>
>> Morgan Wienberg
>> Cofounder & Coordinator,
>> Little Footprints, Big Steps
>> www.littlefootprintsbigsteps.com
>> morgan.2.2@hotmail.com
>>
>> "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." ~Jimi Hendrix.