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For children's right to a family

Erikshjälpen works for the right of all children to grow up in a family and not in an institution such as an orphanage, with the mental and physical risks that come with it.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children should not be separated from their parents against their will, except when it is in the best interests of the child. For children who cannot remain with their family of origin, the UN has developed guidelines that clearly state that children should be placed with other families in the first place and that orphanages should always be a last resort. In 2019, the UN adopted a resolution calling on countries to phase out orphanages, as more money should be spent on providing Support to families living in vulnerability and on reintegration into family homes.

A family can be made up of different people and look different, but still count as a family. The most important thing is that a child grows up in family-like circumstances, in a safe and secure environment.

Orphanages - an expensive solution that negatively affects children

Living in a children's home, even for short periods, can have a major negative influence on a child's well-being and future.

Many children who have lived in orphanages suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Volunteers come and go, children often experience emotional attachment problems, and the protective and isolated upbringing makes it difficult for children to adapt to society when they start their lives outside the orphanage.

In addition, the risk of abuse is higher for children raised in institutions, not least for children with disabilities.

The number of orphanages is increasing worldwide

Despite the negative influence orphanages have on children, the number of orphanages is growing rapidly in many countries around the world. One important reason for this is that organizations, churches and private individuals from Europe and other wealthy parts of the world continue to support orphanages, through direct funding, mission trips, volunteering and tourist visits.

Children become commodities when orphanages become a tourist business

In tourist-dense areas, orphanages have become a lucrative business where children are recruited to orphanages to show off to tourists or to fulfill people's desire to volunteer at orphanages. This trend is unwittingly fueled by emotive reports of Westerners' involvement. Children thus become status markers and commodities.

There are situations where institutionalization is necessary as an emergency measure, but then the children must be met by safe people who understand their background and speak their language. However, the aim must always be to reintegrate children into their natural home environment as far as possible.

Why do children end up in orphanages?

At least 80% of children in orphanages worldwide have at least one parent alive. Yet many children are separated from their families and grow up in institutions because their parents are unable to provide for their children. Poverty is by far the most common reason.

Orphanages are seen as a way for parents to provide children with access to education, food, healthcare. In Sri Lanka, for example, 50% of children in orphanages have been placed there due to poverty. In some cases, placement is due to neglect, abuse, or abandonment by their family. In other cases, it is due to discrimination or lack of appropriate Support for parents or guardians of children with physical or intellectual disabilities.

How more children can grow up in a family

We aim to ensure that no child has to be placed in an orphanage at all. We work towards this in practice through outreach social work to increase income, address substance abuse and health problems, improve conflict management and increase understanding of child development and rights.
We influence authorities to offer other options for long-term placement of children, such as family homes, instead of institutionalization. If a child cannot stay at home, the first choice should be a placement with relatives or friends, while parental Support is explored, but most importantly, the child should be placed in a safe and secure environment.
We reintegrate children who have lived in orphanages into families and communities.
We opinion and influence to raise awareness about the impact of growing up in orphanages and encourage a commitment towards more sustainable alternatives to support children living in vulnerability.