MONROVIA, December 8 (LINA)-The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and World Learning has concluded a three-day psychosocial training program for parents of Ebola victims.
The training was also intended to provide parents with Psychosocial First Aid (PFA), loss and grief counseling and tutorial to ensure positive discipline for children and child rights responsibilities.
The training which took place at the edifice of the Church of Praise in Logan Town, Bushrod Island, ended on Saturday, December 6.
Parents were also provided with information and tutorials in child adoption, prevention of child trafficking, and the provision of foster care for Ebola orphans with training facilitators emphasizing the need for alternative care for orphans, rather than placing them in orphanages.
Speaking at the close of the training exercise, Deputy Health Minister for Social Welfare, Vivian Cherue, highlighted the need for parents of victims of the Ebola virus to be given the needed training and assistance so that they can be psychologically equipped to cater to the wellbeing of their children.
Cherue said Liberians have endured great hardship as a result of the health emergency and that the rebuilding process must also be directed towards providing care and opportunities for affected families, especially Ebola orphans.
“When I retrospect on the terrible condition that Ebola has caused for our country, the many innocent deaths and the period when our entire country became overwhelmed with this disease, it reminds me that we have come a long way,” Cherue noted.
Cherue thanked USAID for providing assistance to facilitate the training program, and urged them to continue the good job as their support to government’s efforts signifies good partnership and coordination.
The training which was, held simultaneously in Montserrado, Bomi and Lofa Counties, is expected to take place in the remaining counties, with USAID providing cash packages for participants at the end of the training.
LINA