Orphanages: We need to “Get Real”
Yes, somehow my blog has become an orphanage/orphanage tourism discussion platform for the time being…. so be it!
I recently met a video editor named Regina who had also been living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. As she was starting a video education program for youth in the area, she became aware of the problems of profiteering orphanages in the area and she was inspired to make this PSA video:
I agree with the video, but I feel like I’m sure many of you do, that there needs to be a “Call to Action” at the end. The good intentions people have who want to donate to orphanages can end up being harmful if the money and time these travelers give goes to the wrong places…. but what can they do instead? Clearly, they want to help – so what should this video tell them to do?
I know that many of the people who read this blog are working with children and have a variety of ideas on this topic. I have received emails from a range of people including people working in orphanages, people working in large INGOs and UN organizations, people who have donated to places they believe in, and people who have realized that they donated to places which were causing harm. All of you have ideas for this, I’m sure – please share!
What should the call to action be?
In the comments on the video site, Regina links people to information about a recent UNICEF report about Cambodian orphanages. What other resources do you think should be shared?
Some ideas might be to encourage people to:
LEARN MORE: Please add comments to this blog with links to places where people can learn more about these issues (such as Friends International’s page “Myths and Realities about Orphanages in Cambodia” and Child Safe). What other resources should people read up on?
GIVE BETTER: As Regina’s videos suggests, many agree that family care is a much better option as well as day care education and transitional support facilities which allow kids to return to a family home and avoid institutionalizing as many children. Friends International has supported this type of work in Cambodia and there are programs like M’lop Tapang, but what other programs do you believe in? And why?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and reading through your list of resources.