Doing your bit to make a positive difference in this world, especially when it comes to children, not only makes you feel good but you’re helping those most vulnerable.
Orphanage tourism (also referred to as orphanage voluntourism) gained popularity amongst those who wanted to travel and see the world but wanted to avoid the ‘touristy’ side of travelling whilst doing something meaningful - a way to give back to the beautiful places they visited, the people they met and the cultures they discovered. However, orphanage tourism may seem like the perfect way to do this, but the reality is it can have a negative impact on the very children you are trying to help. Voluntourism, especially orphanage voluntourism can be harmful to kids and communities.
With over 100 years of helping millions of children around the world, we utilise our decades of experience and expertise and our global reach to help as many children as possible in ways that we know are effective and work towards long-lasting positive change. Here is why we don’t recommend Orphanage tourism along with a list of other ways you can help children in need and support us in our mission to create a world in which every child lives, learns and is safe from harm:
Why Can Orphanage Voluntourism Be Harmful?
Children aren’t tourist attractions
Orphanage voluntourism is seen as a huge tourist market, which unfortunately often attracts those that don’t have the best intentions as they see it as an opportunity to capitalise on rather than one to help children. This has resulted in thousands of children being removed from their families, friends and communities unnecessarily to fill 'orphanages' and meet tourism demand. So when you think you’re helping poor children who are on their own without any family through orphanage voluntourism, this often isn't the case. Over 80% of children in orphanages have a living parent who could take care of them given the right support.
Some orphanages convince parents that their children would be better off in an orphanage where they are guaranteed food and shelter, however, there is significant evidence that living in an institution and/or family separation is often harmful to children.
Evidence has shown that in huge group environments such as orphanages where there is often very little oversight, children are at increased risk of violence, abuse and long-term damage to their development. Children are more damaged, psychologically, emotionally and physically, the longer they spend in institutional care. They also suffer from physical and emotional separation when they’re denied the right to live with their families. Being with family where they are surrounded by people who love and care for them is so much more beneficial for children.
Other Ways You Can Help Children In Need
Whilst orphanage tourism may not be the best option, there are still many other ways you can make a positive difference to the lives of children.
We work with organisations to provide the support families need so that they can keep their children with them. We also run several child-focused programs around the world that help to provide access to the healthcare, support services, and education that children need. We do whatever we can to protect children from harm and work to reunite families that have become separated.
By supporting organisations like us, it can make a difference in helping us to continue the work we do to reach millions of children to prevent family separation, and get children out of orphanages and back with their families. Here are some ways you can show your support for the work we’re doing and help children in need:
And instead of volunteering through orphanage voluntourism, there are many other ways you can volunteer too. We have many volunteer opportunities through our op shops, office and also through the programs we run.
Support Children In Need And Make A Donation Today
One of the best ways you can make a difference to children in need is to support the work we are doing and continue to do here in Australia and around the world. You can make a once-off donation today or become a monthly giver. Each donation over $2 is tax deductible and over 80% of your donation to us goes directly towards program expenditure.