Going Home: Children’s reintegration in Mexico, Moldova and Nepal

Summary

This report summarises research on children’s reintegration that took place in Mexico, Moldova and Nepal from 2011 to 2014. The purpose of this research was to explore the experience and process of reintegration of separated boys and girls in a variety of contexts, speaking to children, their families and other stakeholders at different stages of the reintegration process. In total, 83 children were spoken to across the three contexts. These children included those in institutional care (Moldova), those living in small-scale residential care following street living (Mexico), and child domestic workers (Nepal). While children’s experiences varied greatly, the research identified five common findings on children’s reintegration:

1. Most children and families who live apart from each other want to live together again.

2. Children need to feel safe, loved and wanted in order for reintegration to work.

3. Whether or not a child wants or is able to return home depends in large part on whether the original causes of their separation have been addressed

4. Reintegration needs to be tailored to the context and to the specific needs and circumstances of the child.

5. Reintegration is a process that requires preparation, planning, time and holistic, coordinated support.