Social Welfare Director Mrs. Limakatso Chisepo said, so far, no forms of abuse were reported by the appointed commission. She said the commission will submit a report to the Prime Minister Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili, following which, the cabinet is expected to further deliberate on it. Mrs. Chisepo said the suspension of all adoptions has posed a challenge to her department as adoption applications continue to be received in large numbers.

Although Mrs. Chisepo did not provide annual adoption statistics, she revealed that her office receives more applications from foreigners, saying that children who are being adopted range from newborns up to 18 years. In Lesotho, international adoptions are governed under the Child Welfare and Protection Act, No. 60 of 1980 and the Adoption Proclamation of 1952. Under these laws, prospective adoptive parents are required to reside in Lesotho for two years before they could adopt children, and thereafter the inter-country adoptions can be processed and approved. However, a revised Child Welfare and Protection Bill being debated in the National Assembly which will provide for international adoptions. The suspension of the policy has not only affected the department of Social Welfare but it has also affected orphanages and homes for abandoned children as they have to cater for an increased number of children. Beautiful Gate Director, Mr. Ray Haakonsen said there are more children in his centre than before. For instance, the centre that admits up to 25 children now has more than 40 with more girls than boys.

Lesotho News Agency (2008)
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