In the summer of 2015, I was starting to get a clearer insight into the diverse backgrounds and problems that were the main cause of the institutionalisation of children in a few specific countries. This insight led me to speculate that actually to be able to really tackle the issue of children institutions – and to get an idea of what is needed to keep them out of them – it would be useful to have information about a few specific subjects for each country, to gain an understanding of what is already in place, what are major obstacles and how alternative care and institutional care are handled.
Continue reading “Working on ‘The World List’”Category: Blog
What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Helping an Orphanage?
Some excerpts from the first chapter of ‘How to Help, not Harm: What Living in Orphanages Does to Children and How You Can Help’, written by me:
“Most of us very much want to do something to help the weakest among us, those who are most vulnerable. We feel a moral obligation to help improve the lives of those who are unable to help themselves. And we feel a sense of satisfaction and contentment when we think that a small sacrifice on our part will improve the quality of life of those less fortunate. From ancient times, the moral obligation and the command to take care of widows and orphans has been heard across different cultures and different religions.
Continue reading “What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Helping an Orphanage?”Introduction: Who?
Let’s start with a little introduction, a little more personal than the ‘About’ page. Who am I and how did I get here?
That’s a really good question and I will fight the impulse to become too philosophical or existentialist in answering it. So I’ll start with the first part. I am Florence Koenderink, a Dutch woman who has lived in Scotland for the past several years and who works all over the world, wherever I’m asked to go. The more formal details on that you can look up on the ‘About’ page.