When travelling abroad the impulse to help those less fortunate can be overwhelming. In developing countries, the situation that children face can be especially heart wrenching and demands action. Here we look at why touring orphanages does more harm than good…
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Unfortunately the issues that vulnerable children face are complex, as a result misplaced contributions can often add to existing problems or create an environment where children are kept in vulnerable and dangerous situations for profit. A sad, but perfect example of this can be seen in many orphanages throughout Southeast Asia.
UNICEF estimates that in Cambodia, three quarters of the children in orphanages have at least one living parent. The sad fact is that the lure of profit and widespread poverty has led to a boom in orphanages as a means of making money in Southeast Asia. This industry directly contributes to the separation of families and child exploitation. Before you agree to tour an orphanage, ask the following:
Would I visit an orphanage back home?
Most people would not consider visiting an orphanage or residential home for children in their country of origin because the children have the right to privacy. An orphanage is a child’s home no matter where it is located and tourists should not be allowed to move through or visit at will. In developed countries it would be a violation of the child’s right — strict laws protect them from this kind of exploitation. Shouldn’t children be afforded the same basic human rights no matter where they are born?
Who am I looking to help?
Orphanages do no offer long term solutions to issues these children face. Sustainable contributions should be directed towards breaking the cycle of poverty. Though the number of orphanages opening has stabilized, there was a boom in the industry 10 years ago when it became clear there was money to be made. Children are often displaced from their homes to fill orphanage beds – donations prop up these illegitimate care homes.
Could I be doing more harm than good?
Reputable orphanages don’t allow visitors access to children and will have policies in place to protect the children they care for.
Allowing visitors to the center may result in a pattern of grooming whereby children begin to trust all visitors to the centre — this makes children vulnerable to abuse from visitors with ill intentions.
Even forming attachments to well-meaning visitors has been found to be detrimental to children’s development as the bonds never last.
In addition, many fraudulent orphanages rely on funds supplied by visitors to survive. As a result, there is a financial incentive for those in charge to maintain poor living conditions – desperate situations bring in more money than children who appear well fed and properly cared for.
So what CAN I do?
In short, travel responsibly. By choosing tours and operators that make an effort to support locally grown organizations, your tourist dollars can go a long way. For visitors compelled to make more of a difference, consider donating funds to vocational training and community-based initiatives that operate with a greater understand of the underlying issues these vulnerable populations face. If you are serious in making a positive contribution to a community you visit, talk to the Journeys Within team. We are more than happy to connect you with long-term, local organization that can educate you on the complexities they face as well as make good use of any funding.
Friends-international is a trusted organization that works to improve the lives of vulnerable populations throughout much of Southeast Asia.
Plenty more information about the situation that children face in the region can be found on the Child Safe website – one of the best ways to help is to educate yourself and those around you!