Chattogram:Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain emphasized the importance of education and training in rehabilitating neglected, underprivileged, abandoned, and orphaned children during his visit to the Integrated Child Rehabilitation Centre (ICRC) in Chattogram. The minister underscored the goal of integrating these children into mainstream society through targeted educational and training programs.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Hossain's visit aimed to assess the progress of education, training, and rehabilitation services at the centre located in Farhadabad, Hathazari. He highlighted the necessity of psychosocial motivation as a precursor to the rehabilitation of street and begging children and mentioned ongoing initiatives to achieve this objective.
During the visit, Dr. Hossain planted a guava sapling on the centre's premises and unveiled the 12th edition of "Alokbartika," a wall magazine created by the children. The event also featured performances by children dressed in the national flag's colors, dancing to songs such as "Rakta Diye Nam Likhechi Bangladesher Nam."
Jasmine Akter, deputy project director of the ICRC, explained that the centre caters to 16 categories of children, including street children, child workers, orphans, abandoned children, rescued trafficking victims, and children with disabilities. The centre provides food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, and technical training to facilitate their reintegration into society.
The Chattogram ICRC, established on August 12, 2012, has served 2,024 children, with 1,378 rehabilitated through various means and 500 reunited with their families. Currently, the centre houses 100 boys and 104 girls aged between 6 and 18. Key officials present at the event included Director of the Divisional Social Services Office Mohammad Shahidul Islam and Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Abdullah Al Mumin.