This article by Ellen Livingood in Volume 13, Issue 9 of Postings describes the ways in which Christian churches and faith communities are moving away from orphanage volunteering to supporting other forms of care for children. "Often orphanage ministry is one of a church’s most-popular global missions efforts because there is such an emotional attachment to needy children," says Livingood. "Yet disturbing facts about the orphanage model, especially the impact of Western short-term ministries in Majority World orphanages, are causing many churches to rethink their strategy for orphan ministry abroad."
"The orphanage model was abandoned decades ago in almost every Western society, yet orphanages have continued to house vulnerable children in other parts in the world," says the author. "However, in the past few years a number of orphanage ministries around the globe, as well as some supporting churches in the West, have changed course," recognizing that institutionalization may not be in children's best interests. The article explains some of the "sad truths" about orphanages and shares the story of one church's experience transitioning from supporting an orphanage in Haiti, "an arduous and at times painful" process.
The article also highlights the work of the Faith to Action Initiative and the resources that are available to faith groups to support them in this process. The article provides suggested steps for church leaders beginning the process.
