The ‘House of Israel’ reception center has been closed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance, following an order from the Prosecutor’s Office of the Ouidah First Instance Court. The promoter of the center, accused of ‘child exploitation and complicity in child begging,’ has been placed in custody.
For ‘child exploitation and complicity in child begging,’ the center known as the ‘House of Israel’ has been closed. According to the Ministry of Social Affairs’ statement, “at the time of its discovery, this center was hosting about a hundred children, some of whom were rescued from the streets, while others were placed there by parents and relatives, according to the promoter.”
According to available information, the implicated center “does not have official status. ‘Deliverance’ prayer sessions for children were reportedly conducted there.” Investigations carried out by the ministry revealed that the ‘House of Israel’ center did not adhere to any of the standards governing Child Reception and Protection Centers (CAPE).
Based on this observation, the competent services of the Ministry of Social Affairs took the necessary steps to retrieve the children. Informed of the situation, the Prosecutor of the Republic at the Ouidah First Instance Court ordered the closure of the center and placed the promoter in custody.
The Ministry of Social Affairs encourages ‘anyone with knowledge of unapproved centers accommodating children to call the toll-free number 138 to report or to contact the social promotion center (CPS) or the nearest police station to make a report.
