Volunteering Solutions: Evolving Beyond Orphanage Volunteering
At the end of 2022, Volunteering Solutions embarked on a transformative journey, choosing to discontinue all involvement with orphanage and residential care volunteering. As of 2022, our entire focus has shifted to strengthening community-based childcare and family support initiatives, guided by research and an unwavering commitment to what is best for children.
Across the globe, residential institutions like orphanages and children’s homes continue to be used for vulnerable children in need. However, extensive research and insights from sector experts, as well as our own experience, revealed the limitations and potential harm of institutional care. Guided by this evidence, we no longer place volunteers in orphanages, and instead dedicate our efforts to initiatives that help children remain connected to families and their communities.
Our Reasons for Leaving Orphanage Volunteering Behind
For years, Volunteering Solutions worked in partnership with selected residential care organizations, lending support and expertise where it was needed most. While our volunteers contributed compassion and valuable skills, and many institutions benefited from their involvement, we came to recognize that institutional care should always be a last resort. Every child deserves a nurturing family environment or, at minimum, a stable community setting—not long-term life in an institution.
As new global research emerged, we paid close attention to organizations, scholars, and NGOs prioritizing child protection. The evidence became clear: the orphanage model, even when well-intentioned, can unintentionally separate children from families due to the incentive of donations and volunteer labor. In certain situations, investigations revealed troubling links between residential care facilities and serious concerns like child exploitation and trafficking.
Being ethically driven, Volunteering Solutions has always been resolute in our stance. We will never operate, or support, programs that expose children to risk or encourage unnecessary family separation. After initiating a thorough internal review, we identified that the most enduring and positive impact occurs when volunteers work alongside local educators and caregivers in community settings. These roles empower volunteers to serve meaningfully—without perpetuating separation.
Around the world, over eight million children reside in some form of institutional care, but research indicates that up to 80% have at least one parent alive. In most cases, the root need is support for families—resources and empowerment—so they can continue to care for their own children. For this reason, our mission is now focused solely on strengthening families and building resilient, vibrant communities.
A New Direction: Community Childcare and Prevention
Our departure from orphanage volunteering marked a pivotal shift—from reactive, short-term interventions to preventative, holistic support. Now, our projects focus on keeping families together, bolstering local schools, and strengthening the ability of community childcare providers to meet children’s needs.
This change has inspired new project designs and the refinement of existing programs, all of which reinforce and support natural, local systems. Every Volunteering Solutions childcare initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), including:
- No Poverty
- Good Health & Well-Being
- Quality Education
- Clean Water & Sanitation
- Reduced Inequalities
- Climate Action
Each of our programs are tailored to country needs—which may include:
- Early childhood development
- Literacy and numeracy improvement
- Promoting English language skills
- Hygiene and healthy living awareness
- Supporting children with disabilities
- Enhanced learning and stimulation opportunities
These targets ensure that volunteers work alongside, not in place of, local staff, contributing to meaningful educational and developmental outcomes for children.
Moreover, every volunteer receives comprehensive child protection training, and we uphold stringent safeguarding standards to protect every child’s welfare and dignity.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Volunteering Solutions is unwavering in our commitment to ethical, responsible volunteering. By shifting away from orphanages and investing in family- and community-based support, we work toward a future where every child grows up surrounded by love, care, and genuine opportunity—not institutions.
