Last summer, I was having dinner with some people and one of them told me that a friend of his was running a children’s home, somewhere in Africa. He said that there was a real need for that kind of thing, to keep the children safe and well. I told him that I understood his admiration and his friend’s good intentions, but that unfortunately this was not in the best interest of the children. In about five minutes, I outlined the consequences of institutionalisation and the orphanage industry that is blooming around it and the alternatives that give children far better chances in life and are more cost-effective.
The man sat there pretty gobsmacked, as he was processing the information. Later he told me that that conversation had turned his life upside down. If you have been reading the blogs of the past four months without any prior knowledge about the effects of institutionalisation, it is likely that you are feeling much the same.
It comes as quite a shock, when you start to understand that what seemed like a good solution, like a generous help and a kind and sensible thing to donate to, actually does more harm than good. And it is easy to lose heart when you discover something like this. It can feel like a betrayal and like you would be better off not giving out your money anymore, just in case.
However, realising that supporting ‘orphanages’ is not a good way to help vulnerable children, does not mean that there are no good ways. It is useful to become aware of what is and what is not helpful. There are many ways to support community-based services, family-strengthening support and family-based solutions that DO help children by allowing them to grow up in an environment that allows them to thrive.
While so far, the blogs have focused on giving you insight into the drawbacks and dangers of institutionalisation, that is not all you can expect from me. As a new year dawns, I will start giving more information to give you a further insight into the situations that make parents feel unable to take care of their children as well as the kind of support and services that can help avoid this situation. Then going on to look at options for the small group of children who really cannot live with their family.
So, please do not lose heart. There is more to know, there is hope and there is a lot of work to do to make sure that all children can group up in family-based care. It takes a village, they say, to raise a child. We are all part of that village. We all have our role to play. The children of the world are counting on you, just as much as they are counting on me.
Please share this blog, to help make more people aware.