The author describes how orphanages run for profit in Haiti abuse their position, keeping children in their care to generate revenue, rather than attempting to find family members who could care for them, and one orphanage where children were being ‘kept thin’ in order to generate more income from sympathetic philanthropists who saw pictures of the children.
This is the worst side of charitable giving, when people’s ignorant goodwill creates an industry like this which end up perpetuating the abuse of children.
Similarly, here in Cambodia, there are many so-called NGOs which offer tourists the chance to volunteer in an ‘orphanage’ for a day, if they make a donation.
A stream of strangers who have not been vetted in any way have access to vulnerable children. This kind of project is disruptive, and not respectful or empowering to the children or the people who work with them. And an afternoon's volunteering with children may be fun for the kids and volunteer, but I don't feel its positive impact can outweigh the negative. This type of irresponsible volunteering, and this ‘aid as industry’ thing, are the unfortunate products of sensationalis, poverty porn journalism and communications, unscrupulous opportunists and undiscerning donors.
I would like to state that the Haitian children's home supported by EDV which I posted a picture from not only makes efforts to find family members, but encourages family members who are not yet able to take responsibility for the children to come and spend time with them. Also, that I asked the children for pers
