tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post4745610119107062725..comments2024-02-27T00:41:15.985-06:00Comments on AdoptionTalk: Orphan Tourismmalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06233439015219192874noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-7929273887646833582011-09-19T12:03:37.456-05:002011-09-19T12:03:37.456-05:00The article is informative and quite liked it.The article is informative and quite liked it.Monikahttp://www.volunteeraidnepal.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-64594635794406675012011-09-13T15:21:25.651-05:002011-09-13T15:21:25.651-05:00It seems that people should volunteer, but questio...It seems that people should volunteer, but question how their volunteering will best serve the children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-42449624864479290912011-09-13T00:12:46.173-05:002011-09-13T00:12:46.173-05:00I think I covered this Al Jazeera report on my blo...I think I covered this Al Jazeera report on my blog awhile ago, but it was interesting to see some of the conclusions you drew.<br /><br />I don't think anybody is recruiting orphans for tourism. There are millions of kids who truly have no one. That said, I did see an interesting blog post recently aimed at Folks in the Christian orphan care movement that said to that community: let's shift the focus from building orphanages to funding programs that develop communities, sustain families, and I think that's a great idea.<br /><br />The kinds of orphanages that will benefit from foreign volunteers aren't going to hire locals because they either don't have the money or philosophically take the approach that it SHOULD be all volunteer -- that's what you see in Mother Theresa's orphanages -- they only keep a few nuns in each facility and the kids don't get good care. It's a very unusual orphanage in which every kid has an affectionate relationship with a caregiver. Babies get good care, and care quality declines as kids get older and less cute. Sure, it's not good for kids to form attachments to people who leave...but at the same time, what if that is a child's only opportunity to experience an attachment? Bringing in foreign volunteers isn't a simple fix, but dismissing what good they can possibly do or attacking the motives of all who might wish to help doesn't work either.Sharonhttp://www.whateverthingsaretrue.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-13189395940045033092011-09-12T16:23:19.744-05:002011-09-12T16:23:19.744-05:00Once again, so many opinions offered by so few who...Once again, so many opinions offered by so few who have actually "walked the walk".<br /><br />I have been back to my daughter's origin of birth twice as part of a nonprofit group that raises money locally(in the U.S.) to build playgrounds, install water filtration systems, purchase wheelchairs for handicapped childrens' homes, etc.<br /><br /><br />Great care is taken that our efforts be focused on those installations and specific causes and not on hands-on caring of the children residing in those homes. In all cases this was the first hint of outside assistance these homes had received and all were desperately needed. A child who has never before had a playground to play on suddenly has one. That's a plus NOT a negative. Any. way. you . look . at. it.<br /><br />Please don't lump all efforts into one giant self centered, selfishly motivated agenda.<br /><br />Our group has delivered diapers, medicines and food to orphanages without those very basic essentials. We continue to monitor those homes for further needs and check back in when in country to ensure equipment is good working condition and still present in the homes.<br /><br />It can be done and done well.<br /><br />Don't sweep out the benefits simply because not all efforts are successful or modeled as you would have them. How does that help?<br /><br />BTW, our daughter recently made the trip with us; her first time back and at her behest. Make no mistake that it was a life changing journey for us all, including the 4 children her age that reside in her former Babyhouse that we now sponsor via another philanthropic agency.<br /><br />Yes, there are many ways to assist and getting bogged down in biased criticism of efforts you personally have not taken part of, just don't cut it IMOP.<br /><br />LydiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-91878198004929542492011-09-12T15:27:00.406-05:002011-09-12T15:27:00.406-05:00Your post as always is thought provoking, and I ag...Your post as always is thought provoking, and I agree with most of it, however I think if a child has a primary care giver they have bonded with who works with the orphanage or group home then additional hands can be helpful. Not all "orphanage tourism" is bad. My son was in a foster/group home that had a lot of volunteers from the local community as well as primary care givers and I think this helped with his attachment and sensory input because it was similar to how a biological child is raised, with immediate care givers and visitors and many people playing with them. I also know that volunteers can sometimes "teach" orphanages how to create bonds with children, they can provide child development and medical support or simply change diapers and do laundry to provide an extra set of hands. That said what Brian wrote shouldbe taken with consideration because corrupt orphanages can take advantage of well intended visitors and APs.Dawnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-22539024447034156512011-09-12T13:19:04.803-05:002011-09-12T13:19:04.803-05:00It's heartbreaking to contemplate all the corr...It's heartbreaking to contemplate all the corruption in the world.<br />Thank you for your research and analysis.Denise Emanuel Clemenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10982725113569943337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316191265933534655.post-32289459209011441772011-09-12T11:05:01.895-05:002011-09-12T11:05:01.895-05:00Excellent article!! It would also be good to shin...Excellent article!! It would also be good to shine the light on the impact of post-adoption orphanage donations, which represent an additional stream of income for orphanages. There are many stories of orphanages selling donated formula to the black market, ever needing just one more air conditioner or water purification system. The problem is that unscrupulous orphanage directors take the donations from adoptive families, sell them into the community, and use the proceeds for their own benefit. By keeping things looking "needy", future families come along and donate things all over again.<br /><br />BrianResearch-China.Orghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09137919637778021754noreply@blogger.com