Thousands of children falling through cracks

THOUSANDS of orphans and vulnerable children in remote rural areas are not benefiting from the Government Social Grant, a Swapo MP in the National Council said yesterday.

Phillemon Ndjambula, the Councillor for the Olukonda constituency in the Oshikoto Region, told the House of Review that this was despite reports that about 28 187 orphans and vulnerable children were benefiting from the grant. Ndjambula said thousands of needy children in his region were not receiving the grant.He called on Government to form a registration committee in each region to ensure that all orphans and other needy children could be registered.He made these statements during debate on the National Budget, which set aside N$35 million for social grants.Ndjambula said empowerment schemes such as the Green Scheme were good initiatives that would lead to economic growth and poverty reduction.However, he said, communities needed to be educated about the benefits of the scheme, to which N$300 million has been allocated.Ndjambula said thousands of needy children in his region were not receiving the grant.He called on Government to form a registration committee in each region to ensure that all orphans and other needy children could be registered.He made these statements during debate on the National Budget, which set aside N$35 million for social grants. Ndjambula said empowerment schemes such as the Green Scheme were good initiatives that would lead to economic growth and poverty reduction.However, he said, communities needed to be educated about the benefits of the scheme, to which N$300 million has been allocated.