By Linda Straker Special To HBN ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, Thurs. Mar. 17, 2005: A Grenada agency advocating on behalf of children here, has called upon the Keith Mitchell administration to improve the living conditions at a state run home. The Grenada National Coalition on the Rights of the Children say they are very concerned about reports and enquiries on children who are presently placed at the Sapodilla Home, which is located in the parish of St Andrew. The Coalition made the statement following media reports that the Home, which caters for young women, had become a “sleeping centre” for young men. The situation has resulted in two of the young ladies, who are under the age of sixteen, becoming pregnant. Acknowledging that there has been some destruction of the physical structures housing children in care and protection following the passage of Hurricane Ivan, the 32-member agency called for government, through the Ministry of Social Development, to immediately put structures in place that will result in improve care for children who are placed at the Home. “As a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child since November 1992, Grenada has an obligation to implement the rights contained in the Convention,” Coalition members said in a statement. “Article 19 states that every child has the right to be protected from Violence which includes exposure to violent situations while Article 20 further states that every child has the right to be provided with special protection once deprived of the family environment and to ensure that appropriate alternative family care or institutional placement is available.” Recommending that the Ministry of Social Development immediately implement the recommendations of the Child Welfare Authority regarding the Home, the Coalition is of the view that the children under the supervision of the Management of the Home are at risk and need immediate and proper protection. “They also need proper counseling and social work interventions that will positively guaranteed their safety and enhance their development,” members said. Without giving a deadline, the Coalition said that if government fails to act in the best interest of those who are affected at the Sapodilla Home, it will be left with no choice but to inform relevant regional and international organizations who are working on behalf of children. There has been no response from government so far. Reprinted from hardbeatnews.com