The «Les Dépêches de Brazzaville» widely-circulated newspaper (no: 2084, 11th Αugust 2014), referring to the visit of Her Excellency Mrs. Emilienne Raoul, Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of the Congo, to the “St Efstathios” Orphanage of the Holy Diocese of Brazzaville and Gabon on 9th August 2014, published the following by its contributor, Mr. Parfait Wilfried Douniama:
"The “St Efstathios” Orphanage receives operating license
Despite the fact that it is only temporary, this license is granted by the Minister of Social Affairs, Humanistic Activities and Sildarity, Mrs. Emilienne Raoul, and in this way shows trust in the administrators of this institution for childcare which was established in 2007 by the Orthodox Church of the Congo. The act took place on 8th August in Dolisie, in the province of Niari.
Being within the bounds of the Parish of “St Irene” of the Orthodox Church of the Congo, in Dolisie, the “S Efstathios” Orphanage can now fulfill its mission, of hosting children who have lost their parents, without administrative obstacles. Receiving this license this institution becomes the first in the interior of the country and the third on a national level after the two institutions in Brazzaville which have received official recognition from the State. The issue of this document which will be adopted by Ministerial Decision after one year (i.e. the final license), observes the laws which are valid in the Country. This is contained in the Ordinance of 14th February 2012, regarding the decree for the technical requirements for the installation, organization and operation of private institutions for the care and accommodation of children. Indeed, these two documents compel the supporters-creators of these structures-institutions to comply with the above provisions.
Accepting the license on behalf of the Holy Diocese of Congo and Gabon, the Hierarchal Vicar General Fr. Maxime Oumba Παραλαμβάνοντας την άδεια εκ μέρους της Ιεράς Επισκοπής του Κονγκό και της Γκαμπόν, ο Γενικός Αρχιερατικός Επίτροπος, π. Maxime Oumba, welcomed the act of trust and love expressed by the Government. “We can assure you that we are one Church, one Christian community, which collaborates with the Government and we are here to work, because the Church also offers humanistic assistance and philanthropy”.
Minister Mrs. Emilienne Raoul, who visited parts of the Orphanage before the grating of the operation license, appreciated that all requirements are fulfilled by the programmers-administrators of the Institution. “I saw that the building is very well maintained, everything is clean. The children need to find a family atmosphere here, which, as we always say, a child’s life is in a family. These structures must give the children all the trust so that they may become adults. It is however that there be another orphanage for the girls, because there are not only boys”, she advised, noting the commitment undertaken by the Hierarchal Vicar General for the continued compliance with the current laws.
In conclusion, she referred again to the fact that the majority continues to be unaware of the temporary approval of operation which comprises an adjustment-regulating of the existing structures or those which are being created. “Everyone is unaware that there is now the Presidential Decree for the establishment of procedures regarding the creation and operation of the facilities which receive children: daycare centres, orphanages, everywhere where children are hosted, where they sleep, eat there needs to be a license because the State guarantees the protection of children. We need to know what the children are doing here and what will become of them when they leave here”, Mrs Emilienne Raoul concluded".