13/3/21: the rights and wrongs of orphanages

Introduction

In August 2019 I was privileged to be able to spend 3 weeks visiting the Kampala Christian Orphanage (KCO) in August 2019, which looks after approximately 60 girls and boys aged between 4 and 10.  Over the last few years I have supported their work in a number of ways, including in appealing for funds for them.  It would be fair to say that it is my connection with KCO which was part of my motivation in wanting to live and work in Uganda which is what I am now doing.  Since I have been living in Uganda I have visited another orphanage in Kampala which looks after 18 children, both orphanages operate without state support and are largely dependent on foreign donations.

Meanwhile, at work and in other places I meet people concerned with child welfare who are working hard to dismantle orphanages across the world.  A quick Internet search uncovers ‘Hopes and homes for children’ which is an organisation which takes the view that orphanages need to be ‘eradicated’: “we are working towards a day where orphanages have been eliminated for good”.

So, I’ve been grappling with the issue of orphanages for some weeks now, trying to avoid the temptation to defend them simply because I have invested a certain amount of time and effort already in supporting them.  Please see my thoughts below, as always, very interested in what you think!

Points of commonality

For the moment, whilst, I realise that most dictionaries won’t agree with me, I’ll define an orphan as a child unable, for whatever reason, to live with at least one natural parent.  The existence of orphans by this definition is already, I think we can all agree, less than ideal.  We can further agree, I think that where orphans do exist, the best place for them, if possible, is with wider family members – grandparents, aunts, cousins, older siblings, etc.  If this is not possible, then some other stable family setting would be good.  If this is also not possible, then, at this final stage, orphanages step into the breach.

There is, however, no doubt that orphanages in some circles have bad reputations, and there are various scandals surrounding them, including:

• Where orphanages do not exist at all, and scammers simulate their existence, eg. by gathering local children to pose for photographs in order fraudulently to obtain funds intended to help children;
• Orphanages being the front for child trafficking, whether this be for illegal adoption, forced labour, under age prostitution or other purposes;
• Orphanages do exist but children are kept in appalling conditions whilst money is syphoned off by those supposedly looking after children;
• Parents are actively encouraged to send children to live in ‘orphanages’ in the belief that they will then have a better life than they can living at home (as opposed to the initiator being the parent or wider family members).

But even when orphanages are being run for the benefit of the children living in them by people who give of themselves tirelessly and selflessly to do the best for the children in their charge, there are the problems of institutionalisation, lack of opportunity to form relationships with adults which other children would take entirely for granted.

All of the above is, I think, common ground for everybody working for the benefit of children in difficult circumstances.  Any disagreements are around practicalities.  Let me set out my own position below.

Moving forward

Let me respond firstly to the explicit abuses surrounding orphanages listed above.  These are, of course, appalling, and it is the responsibility of everyone involved – Governments, NGOs, schools, social services, etc. – to do what they can to stop these things going on.

But I am really unhappy that all orphanages are lumped together in discussions about them, those which facilitate child prostitution with those doing everything to provide the best homes possible for children in extremely difficult circumstances.  It surely makes no sense to conclude that all orphanages should be eradicated because of these abuses.

But there does remain the point about family settings being better places to bring children up than orphanages.  The issue then becomes one of practicalities.  Is there sufficient capacity in family settings for all children who need it?  It is not at all obvious to me that the answer to this question is yes.  I am wary of projects – which, by definition, are time limited – which do enormous good in the short term in implementing models which did not arise locally,  but then funding is withdrawn on the assumption that what has been put in place is sustainable in the long term.  All of this is highly problematic, it seems to me, when meanwhile, here in Uganda, there are orphanages for Ugandan children set up by Ugandan people with a passion for the children they serve.

So, I would encourage NGOs and others working in this area, firstly to distinguish between the orphanages which are set up for abusive reasons, and those genuinely looking to serve children’s best interests.  I would further encourage them, when dealing with the latter, to ask themselves whether language such as, “We are working towards a day where orphanages have been eliminated for good,” is really helpful, or whether it is likely to antagonise, and harden the positions, of people working really hard to make a positive difference in their communities.

There is part of me which would love to set up a charity looking to provide financial support to orphanages run for the best interests of children, whilst over time in a respectful manner, looking to work with the directors in ensuring that, where possible, children are not admitted in the first place if there’s a viable alternative, if they are admitted they keep in touch with family members if at all possible, looking for ways of re-integrating them into some kind of family setting, at all times being clear that it is the people running the orphanage who are in charge and deciding what to do.

But I can’t do this by myself, for the moment it remains a pipedream as I remain in touch with Kampala Christian Orphanage, hopefully to visit soon – I can do it as a day trip from where I live but COVID 19 restrictions have prevented the visit so far – help them to raise money, and provide the best possible care in the meantime.  If you think this may be a viable way forward and wish to join me, please let me know!  Thank you for reading, I’d be really interested to know what you have to say.