Our beliefs
We believe…
When it comes to child care reform, we firmly believe the following.
Care reform
We believe that children belong in families, and that institutional care (orphanages) should be eradicated. We believe that 'children's villages' and 'small group homes' do not serve the best interest of children, and should therefore also be eradicated. We believe that governments should prioritise reforming their care systems, to ensure that no child is exposed to institutional care. We believe that local solutions are better than international solutions.
Children with disabilities
We believe that governments should urgently prioritise children with disabilities, to ensure that they are safe in their communities and not exposed to any form of institutional care (orphanages).
Intercountry adoption
We believe that intercountry adoption detracts and disrupts care reform and is a driver for institutionalisation of children and child trafficking, and that it should be immediately prohibited.
“When you label a child an ‘orphan’, you respond to the ‘label’ and not the individual needs of a child.”
— Dan Hope, Social Worker, Substitute Families for Abandoned Children (SFAC)
We also believe…
Mission trips and volunteering
We believe that mission trips and volunteering trips to/at orphanages sustains institutionalisation of children, and that they should stop.
Family strengthening
We believe that solutions for children can and should be sought through strengthening families and communities, and all resources and efforts should be directed to strengthening and helping families and communities become self-sufficient.
Crimes against children
We believe that perpetrators of crimes against children in institutions (orphanages) should face the full force of the law and be brought to justice.
While we are steadfast in these beliefs, we also know that developing services and systems to see these beliefs become a reality takes time, energy, collaboration and resources, and that working together is the only way to achieve this. If you would like to become a partner, please reach out to us.