Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Every child needs a home to provide care, yet in 2004, at least 73 of the nation's children were abandoned, according to the Child Development Agency (CDA).

According to the CDA, between 2004 and 2005, a total of 361 children were taken into state care. At the same time, many children remain on the streets trying to fend for themselves.

The CDA now has 184 children in its care between the ages of one and 14 years, who are eligible for foster care placement. This number comprises 103 boys and 81 girls in state and private homes islandwide.

According to Winston Bowen, director of programmes at the CDA, the children were referred to the Government agency by concerned individuals.

"The children come to us either because they are in need of care and protection or because parents have abused them, abandoned them, neglected them or the parents are unwilling or unable to take care of them," Mr. Bowen told The Gleaner.

Most of the children now eligible for foster care placement are located in the Kingston Metropolitan Area and St. Catherine.

To date, 1,090 children have been placed in foster care. This represents just over 20 per cent of the total number of children in state care.