Adoption agency recognized

SHILLONG, JULY 13: Meghalaya government has recognized the Reach Shillong Ministries (RSM) as “Specialized Adoption Agency” (SAA) for the district of East Khasi hills.
Social welfare department director HM Shangpliang inaugurated the SAA at the Presbyterian Church India Conference hall on Friday.
The move to recognize such childcare institutions or voluntary organizations in each district is aimed to facilitate the placement of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children in adoption.
Reach Shillong Ministries (RSM), a Christian ngo working with children and youths also announced the launch of Cradle Baby Points at its own centre at Lawei Ba Phyrnai Children Home, Umpling and at different hospitals and nursing homes for safe abandonment and rehabilitation of newborns.
Informing about the Cradle Baby Points, RSM rued that it is very painful to learn that in 2013 alone there were about 9 known cases of abandonment of babies and about 92 cases over the last five years.
Taking into consideration the grave reality and the legal provision available for SAA, RSM informed that it has taken this step to save babies from abandonment by placing cradles at each hospital/ nursing home for babies to be placed and saved from certain death.
The function was blessed by the presence and prayers of members of the Church and civil society.
Officers from the police department, social welfare and medical experts from different hospitals and nursing homes of Shillong were also present.- By Our Reporter