Ahead of International Volunteer day on Thursday, Home for Good’s the Homecoming project is releasing a short film to encourage Christians in the UK to rethink orphanage volunteering, arguing that it reinforces trauma and abandonment for institutionalised children.
Founding director of the charity, Dr Krish Kandiah, said “Children living in orphanages have suffered the trauma of having been separated from their parents. This often causes attachment difficulties or disorders, where children may be overly affectionate towards complete strangers, forming unnaturally quick and unhealthy bonds.”
“Many orphanages rely on a steady stream of volunteers and the generosity of donors, who are usually well-meaning and genuinely want to help vulnerable children. But unfortunately, good intentions do not automatically result in best practice.”
“Christians have long been supporters of pioneering and innovative projects and the Church has been at the forefront of caring for vulnerable children. It is time for a new wave of innovation to see children in institutions come home to family. The first step we can take is to ensure we do not exacerbate poor practice in our giving and our going.”
A ComRes poll of over 6,000 British adults found that regular churchgoers are seven times more likely to visit or volunteer in an overseas orphanage than other British adults.
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