Orphanages have become a major tourist attraction in Cambodia.

There are many opportunities to visit orphanages, to interact with orphans, to make donations, to ‘adopt’ an orphan, or to volunteer. Orphanage visits are frequently being added to travel itineraries and tour guides are paid a commission by orphanages for bringing them guests. These experiences are mostly designed to make us, the donor or volunteer, feel as if we are doing something good and making a difference.

These orphanages encourage us to abuse the rights of the child: the rights to respect, dignity, privacy, and protection.