Families Not Orphanages
ACT to mobilize the passion, longevity and commitment of faith communities to transform care services for children around the world.
Profile
I am passionate about: Strengthening families and children, ensuring no child is raised in orphanage care.
Show my name on the attendees list for events I am attending: Yes
Head of Programmes and Advocacy USA
Hope and Homes for Children
Research
0pt
Idea
26pt
Evaluation
0pt
Collaboration
19pt
Total
45pt
ACT to mobilize the passion, longevity and commitment of faith communities to transform care services for children around the world.
Hi Courtney, what a great overlap in geographic area and project idea. I will definitely check out the proposal and if either of us moves forward we should connect our Honduran partners.
Hi Haseeb, Thanks for your question! I will definitely take a look at your project idea. In terms of incentivizing - Hope and Homes for Children has a lot of experience in this field. In our experience generally families are very open to reunification once a trained social worker or team is part of the process. We (or the organizations we train or partner with) assess the family meeting with them to determine the cause of separation from the child. Oftentimes it is for economic reasons and the perception that an orphanage can provide education or better care. In those cases the best way to reunify is to take time to work with a family to overcome the barriers they might have to caring for their child - sometimes this is job skills training, sometimes it is sponsoring the education of the children in the household, sometimes it is a small economic package, a repair to the home, etc. It is generally not a large need that is keeping children and families from reunifying. Sadly we find that in some cases it was the parents' concern about lack of bonding or fear they could not provide the "fancy" toys, backpacks or material supplies that well resourced orphanages offer. Whatever the barrier is, good social work teams can build relationships, mentor, provide support and then slowly begin the visits that are needed to ensure safe reunification and monitoring. In cases of extreme neglect or abuse or violence then we would be seeking an alternative family placement for the child (extended family, family friends, foster care, etc.) I liked your comment about providing dignified sources of income to mothers - this is so important. Ensuring that mothers and carers feel empowered to care for their children and work in ways that offer income but also dignity are really important to raising healthy and safe children.
Amanda commented on Families Not Orphanages