16.05.2022/XNUMX/XNUMX / top stories

Why RGV renounces volunteering in orphanages

Be careful when volunteering at the orphanage! As of May 2016, RGV does not take any further registrations for work in children's homes and orphanages. We therefore no longer allow projects to be placed in social institutions in which children live or sleep separately from relatives. 

No more orphanage work at RGV

What moved us to this decision

Volunteer work or voluntary service in orphanages in developing and emerging countries has been around for several years increasingly under criticism. We consider the concerns of child protection NGOs and human rights organizations to be justified, which is why we want to lead by example. Supporting an orphanage in Africa was also one of our volunteer projects up until 2016. Useful alternatives to orphanage projects are sometimes in our section for social work a DAK Bungalow.

Reasons that speak against volunteer work with orphans

1. Life in orphanages promotes developmental and educational disorders

The children in orphanages and children's homes are often completely on their own. Often they point Behavioral abnormalities and attachment disorders on. This is due to the lack of reliable caregivers. Therefore, the children behave especially affectionate and friendly towards strangers. Since it is not possible for our volunteers to get involved in the facilities over the long term, it would inevitably come to regular farewells by the constantly recurring arrival and departure of beloved caregivers. The frequent changes can cause children to suffer emotional trauma. We at RGV do not want to be responsible for these effects.

2. Orphanages - A business model for child trafficking

In recent years, individual orphanages in developing and emerging countries have been considered dubious facilities unmasked. Unserious because the operators of such homes the to use needy children to raise donations, With promises that housing, food and education would be provided, orphans and those who are not actually at all, will be brought to these facilities. In reality, however, the sympathy of potential donors - including tourists and volunteers - should be awakened. The often unofficial registered facilities are suspected of not using the proceeds for the benefit of the children. We at RGV do not want to run the risk of supporting such institutions - Therefore our decision from May 2016.

Rainbow Garden Village is unable to satisfactorily monitor the functioning of children's homes and orphanages on site. We don't want this either, as we only see ourselves as supporting helpers to help themselves. We cannot prevent rogue institutions, but we can turn our backs on them and in this way send a clear signal.

Meaningful alternative projects with Rainbow Garden Village

There are numerous other opportunities for you to work responsibly and sustainably for the children and families in our target countries! We look forward to yours Contacting us! We are happy to enable you to work in the following locations:

  • Day Care Centers, bsp. Ghana
  • Kindergärten
  • preschools
  • Schools
  • After school clubs, bsp. South Africa
  • Summer camp in Romania

... and many more childcare services for needy children on site.

All Opportunities to work in the social field in the RGV target countries can be found here.

In all these projects you can Commit meaningfully with a clear conscience and contribute both your energy and your creative ideas. Your commitment is in ours long-term commitment on the ground involved and intends to sustainably improve the lives of children and their families on site.

Portrait of Steffen Mayer
Author
Steffen Mayer

World traveler and passionate supporter of volunteer projects worldwide since 1999.

More projects that interest you could

Have you not yet discovered a suitable program for your time abroad? No problem, we will present you more Volunteer projects abroadthat might pique your interest.

Are you perhaps still at the beginning of thinking about your trip and have no idea what might be right for you? Whether you want to go abroad as a volunteer for a short time, or if you prefer FSJ up to 12 months abroad afford? Maybe there is one Internship abroad in a specific subject area the best way for you to gain experience abroad?

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