Abstract:
“This article argues that orphanage voluntourism fuels the displacement and trafficking of children from their families in Nepal and their unnecessary institutionalisation. It shows that the displacement of children from their families into institutions initially arose in response to forced conscriptions of children into the Maoist rebel army and a desire of the families for their children to have quality education. After the conflict ended, this phenomenon became more about a desire by the poor rural families to have their children educated and thus escape the poverty trap. After an international embargo on inter-country adoptions was put in place by the Western nations in 2010, the trafficking agents and orphanage managers lost a major source of income. They adapted their business model to instead use children as poverty commodities to solicit financial donations from well-intentioned but naïve foreign volunteers and donors. The article shows how institutional care has become a first priority over family-based care in many cases in Nepal. It provides evidence and case studies to illustrate how child displacement, trafficking and institutionalisation are being fuelled by orphanage voluntourism and foreign donors. It explores the concept of international voluntourism and considers why it has become so popular and how it can be used more positively. It explores the concept of ‘ethical voluntourism’ by examining cases of global good practices in this area that do not harm children. The article concludes by advising against orphanage voluntourism as not being in the best interests of children, and making recommendations for ways to expand ethical voluntourism practices in Nepal. In doing this, the unnecessary displacement, trafficking and institutionalisation of children can be reduced.”