Families. Not orphanages.

Orphanages do not protect children. They harm them. We are working towards a day when every child can grow up in a loving family.

  • What is wrong with Orphanage VolunTourism?

    For the most part, voluntourists are well-intentioned people who are looking for an opportunity to travel and contribute something to the countries they visit. But when it comes to volunteering in orphanages, these volunteers risk unwittingly harming rather than helping children. 

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In numbers

Every child wants a safe, loving family to grow up in. But over 8 million children confined to orphanages around the world are denied this, with often catastrophic effects.

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A global movement for change

 

 

Hope and Homes for Children is working towards a day where every child can grow up in a loving family. We know we will only achieve this by working with others. Through our partnerships with national governments, civil society organisations, international agencies, corporate donors and committed individuals, we are helping to build a global movement that will eliminate orphanages in our lifetime.

 

 

 

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Stories

We’re inspired by the courage and resilience of the children we work for. Read their stories here:

All stories
  • Nikita is now in a family “His sadness was transformed into happiness”
    By the end of the year, our specialist team in Moldova, had succeeded in matching Nikita with a caring couple who are experienced foster parents. “His sadness was transformed into happiness” says Livia.
  • Jonathan’s story: think before orphanage volunteering
    Jonathan was five-years-old when he arrived at the orphanage in Western Uganda. Watch this video to find out more about Jonathan’s story. Listen as he describes what it was like to live in an orphanage, to be visited by voluntourists from the UK and what happened when, at the age of 17, he was asked to leave the orphanage because he was no longer “useful” to attract donations.
  • No comfort, no joy for Nikita this Christmas
    Nikita has only just turned four but he will have no one to help him hang up his stocking or decorate a tree this Christmas.
  • Now this orphanage is closed, 41 babies and toddlers have families to love them
    This is the Yambol orphanage in Bulgaria – an institution for children under the age of three. In 2016, when Hope and Homes for Children began work to close the facility, 41 babies and toddlers were struggling to survive here without any of the love and individual care all young children so desperately need. Our […]

Latest news

Hope and Homes for Children is at the forefront of a growing global movement to eradicate orphanages globally. Catch up on our latest news here:

All news stories
  • Last act of kindness from our patron, Lord Carrington at service in Westminster Abbey
    The Duchess of Cornwall joined ministers and military dignitaries last week to celebrate the remarkable life of our patron, Lord Peter Carrington, who died aged 99 last year. Lord Carrington was one of our earliest patrons, and in a final act of kindness all donations from the service were pledged to Hope and Homes for Children.
  • 2018 – A Year of Achievement
    Mark Waddington, Hope and Homes for Children's CEO, reflects on 2018 as he defines it "a year of achievement". We have closed 6 institutions, worked on 39 closures throughout Europe and Africa and transitioned 632 children out of institutions and into a safe and loving family.
  • BBC World Service puts orphanages in the spotlight
    Each week The Conversation brings together women from different countries who have shared a similar experience. In this week’s programme, Rukhiya Budden, Hope and Homes for Children ambassador, meets with Hayley Kemp to share and discuss their different perspectives of growing up in orphanages in Kenya and the UK.
  • Children exploited for profit by UK-funded orphanages in Uganda, BBC documentary reveals
    The abuse and exploitation of children in Ugandan orphanages that are supported by donors in the UK is exposed in a BBC radio documentary, “The Orphanage Business”. The programme reports from orphanages in Uganda where, in the worst cases, children are neglected, abused and exploited for profit by staff and tourists.

Challenges

There are loads of ways for you to join our global movement and help transform the lives of the 8 million children confined to orphanages around the world. Why not undertake a challenge? Whatever you decide to do, we think you are amazing!

  • St. James’s Place Sprint Triathlon
    Sunday 19th May, 2019
    Broughton Hall, Skipton
     The St. James’s Place Sprint Triathlon is heading north! Join us for our inaugural year in the breath-taking grounds of Broughton Hall, Skipton. This incredible event is the leading sprint triathlon for beginners, mixed teams and those looking to beat their personal best.
  • The Family Marathon
    Saturday 29 June 2019
    Victoria Park
    A brand new event brought to you by Hope and Homes for Children: a marathon with a difference! Get your family together for the long run. Because when your family runs together, you’ll help families stay together.
  • Ride Romania
    5-8 July 2019
    Romania
     Join Hope and Homes for Children on this incredible road cycling tour through the heart of Romania, including one of the world’s most iconic roads – the Transfargarasan Highway.
  • Trek Bosnia
    14 – 21 September 2019
    Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro
     Are your boots made for walking? Then join us on this incredible Balkan adventure. Our route will take us into the heart of the stunning Dinaric Alps and the primeval forests of the Sutjeska National Park.
  • Royal Parks Half Marathon
    13 October 2019
    Hyde Park, London
     Join Hope and Homes for Children in October for one of the most scenic city runs in the world.
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  • Events

    We have a host of inspiring and entertaining events for you to be part of including evenings with some of the world’s greatest adventurers and performers, local events across the UK and our annual Christmas Carol Concert in London.

    If you are organising an event for Hope and Homes for Children we’d love to hear from you. 

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You are about to do something amazing. The money you donate will transform the lives of children around the world and bring us closer to a day where every child grows up in a loving, stable family. Thank you.

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Hope and Homes for Children is a registered charity. No 1089490