This report was produced by Comhlámh and the Volunteering and Orphanages Working Group (OWG). The OWG was set up in 2016 by Comhlámh and a number of Volunteer Sending Agencies party to Comhlámh’s Code of Good Practice who were concerned at the adverse effects of institutional care on children and the particularly harmful impact of international volunteering in orphanages. Since then, the OWG has worked to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of international volunteering in orphanages and to promote and support the transition to family and community-based care.
The report explores the negative impacts of institutionalization on children and the negative impacts of volunteering in orphanages, including the proliferation of orphanages and perpetuation of family separation to satisfy volunteer demands, highlighting recommendations for addressing this issue. The report also includes profiles of the situation in Nepal, Haiti, and Cambodia. The report concludes with an overview of care reform efforts underway to strengthen family care and move away from sending volunteers to orphanages.
