There are an estimated 8 million children in orphanages worldwide! Staggering considering that we know 85% are not orphans and the 15% deserve family based care not an orphanage life. With 60+ years of research and from listening to those with lived experience, we know that institutionalisation harms children.
Well-meaning people like you and I are driving the demand for orphans and that is why Australia is taking the lead in considering legislating against orphanage tourism in recognition that child trafficking into orphanages is a form of modern day slavery.
Please stop perpetuating the orphan myth.
The great thing about Forget Me Not is that the Board changed what they were doing as soon as they learned this truth instead of saying ‘not my orphanage’. This is brave, courageous and deeply respectful of children and families. When we know better we must do better.