Vulnerable children
No orphanage tourism
Volunteer Aware does not research or assess organisations that offer volunteering in orphanages. We strongly advise volunteers and interns against working in an orphanage.
An eye for the specific situation
Volunteer Aware does take specific situations into account. The clearest example, and one that occurs often, is the street children project that focuses entirely on reuniting the child with their own (extended) family. There will always be children who sadly cannot return home. In our view, it is then an undesirable but responsible choice to care for these children in a residential setting. Every situation is different, and that sometimes sits uneasily with a theoretical reality. We want to keep an eye on that.
Volunteers and these children
Is it wise to let volunteers work with these children in those situations? Here too, we do not take a rigid position. Supervising activities can be valuable and educational, for the volunteers and for the children. What matters is that it only adds value, so that attachment does not become a problem.
We find the principle that you may not do abroad what you are not trained for in the Netherlands too theoretical. Volunteer Aware is not against supervising activities at a day care centre for children, with or without a disability, who live at home.
At its core
Its strength is also its weakness
International volunteering always involves an imbalance. There is always room for critical notes and sincere concern. Travel only goes one way, and cultural differences can lead to mutual misunderstanding.
At the same time, experiencing those differences is so enriching for the volunteer that a positive impact can be achieved. As long as it is organised in an honest, responsible, transparent and sustainable way.
PS: Better Care Network Netherlands does not endorse this nuanced position of Volunteer Aware.