Most of these ’orphans’ should not be in orphanages, and instead should be with their families and communities. So why are these children being institutionalized? And why are we, as tourists or potential donors and volunteers, being asked to support their institutionalization? Perhaps we should start by looking at what an orphanage actually is.
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY INSTITUTIONAL CARE OR 'ORPHANAGES'?
Institutional care can be defined as a group living arrangement for children,in which remunerated adults, who would not be...
WHY ARE ORPHANAGES A SUBOPTIMAL SOLUTION?
When placing children in institutional or residential care, there is the risk of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and other internationally recognized human...
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION?
Orphanages are financially unviable asa long-term solution, costing far more per child than alternative, community-based care. A recent study in sub-Saharan Africa showed that institutional care can cost...