Rogers said that about 40% of the 52 stateless children at DFC have applied for temporary documents.
THE Destiny for Children (DFC) association will continue to provide stateless and non-Malaysian children with education in Sarawak.
“I feel that it is much safer for them to be with us than on the streets.
“That is why we need the community to work with us to protect these children so that no harm will come to them,” said DFC headmistress Pauline Rogers after receiving a donation of RM2,100 from two NGOs – Junior Chamber International Seduan and Yartist (Gen Y artist).
She said these children cannot enter government primary schools without documents like birth certificates.
“We basically give them education at the primary school level.
“We also work to raise their self-esteem.
“Even if they are unable to get their documents, they can still be responsible adults and contribute to society.”
She revealed that about 40% of the 52 stateless children at DFC had applied for temporary documents.
“There are 104 children at DFC. Half of them are stateless while the other half are foreigners.
“Between 10 and 20 of the stateless are applying for temporary documents so they can stay here legally,” she said.
Some applications need to be submitted together with parents’ marriage certificates while others need to renew their passports.
Sometimes, DNA tests are required to determine the identity of the biological parents, Rogers added.
