Minister of Labour and Social Policy Spiro Ristovski visited on Friday the day care center for street children in Skopje to mark the International Day for Street Children.

"I would like to appeal to the citizens to stop giving money to children on the streets because by doing so they are encouraging begging," the minister said during his visit to the center.

The citizens can report begging on SOS telephone number 15 505 after which police officers transfer the children to the day care center where they are provided with food, clothing and hygiene products. Similar centers function in Bitola and Ohrid.

Last year, over 150 children underwent the process of resocialization in the center. Some 100 children are already enrolled in schools.

On the occasion of the International Day for Street Children, the Red Cross of Macedonia has donated hygienic products, clothes and blankets.