Coronavirus and orphanages

For children in vulnerable families, Coronavirus is not just a health crisis—it places them at urgent risk of losing their loving homes and childhoods to the neglect of an orphanage. Children already confined to orphanages are facing increased levels of abuse, harm and infection due to staff shortages. These children are voiceless, forgotten and need your help now.

Donate now

We’re working tirelessly to keep families together and protect children. We must ensure that orphanages are never a solution—neither now, nor in the recovery from this pandemic.

Our response to Coronavirus
Our Chief Executive, Mark Waddington CBE, has written to supporters explaining how we plan to overcome the challenges of Coronavirus—and how they can help.

Read Mark’s letter

Latest news

Hope and Homes for Children is at the forefront of a growing global movement to eliminate orphanages globally.

News

Experts join call for urgent reform as science review confirms: orphanages harm children
International child care experts agree that reform is urgently needed to replace institutions with family-based care for all children, after completing a comprehensive review of research into the scale and impact of orphanage use worldwide.
A newly merged DfID and FCO must be made to work—and action is needed now
While we do not endorse the Government’s decision, we do believe that with decisive action in the following areas the UK can continue to influence international development effectively.
Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery keeps children with disabilities in Rwanda safe
By supporting our work in Rwanda, players of People’s Postcode Lottery are keeping children with disabilities secure in loving families, and safe from orphanages, during the Coronavirus crisis.
Controversial emergency child protection laws in England could harm children across the globe
The UK Government has come under attack from international child rights campaigners after making emergency legal changes which affect the way children in the English care system are looked after during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Latest blog posts

Blog

“What can we do now from the kitchen table for our children, families and young people?”
Radu Tohatan, our team manager in Romania, was on the ground when the Coronavirus crisis hit. He describes how lockdown has changed his working life and its impact on the families he is striving to protect.
On the frontline of Coronavirus for children and families: Nepal
In Nepal, Hope and Homes for Children is working with local partners to stop even more children being trafficked into orphanages and exploited for profit because of Coronavirus.
On the frontline of Coronavirus for children and families: India
Subhadeep Adhikari, project leader in eastern India, describes the impact of Coronavirus on his team and the children they are working to keep safe from trafficking and orphanages.
On the frontline of Coronavirus for children and families: South Africa
Lourenza Steytler-Foghill, who leads our ‘One Child One Family’ strategic project in South Africa, explains how her dedicated team is helping vulnerable children and families survive one of the toughest lockdowns on earth.

Upcoming events

Who Profits? Orphanage Tourism and Trafficking in Asia—Australia’s Role
The second in a series of webinars for anyone looking to make a positive impact by delivering or advocating for child care reform in Asia.
St. James’s Place Sprint Triathlon
4 October 2020
Nuffield Health, Highfield Park Drive, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 0AH
Every great challenge has a finish line. Take part in the St. James’s Place Sprint Triathlon and help put an end to orphanages.

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.

Our work

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.

Transforming childcare systems

Hope and Homes for Children is working alongside governments and civil society organisations in over 30 countries to dismantle orphanage-based care systems. Our transformation model is driving reform and laying the foundations for long-lasting change.

Children’s stories

We’re inspired by the courage and resilience of the children we work for. Here are some of their stories.

Stories

Whatever the crisis, we’re there to keep Therese and her family together
With our help, Therese’s mum had been able to train as a tailor and earn an income to support the family. But when Coronavirus hit, lockdown meant the family became deprived of essential supplies—until our team in Rwanda stepped in with emergency support.
Tatiana fought to survive orphanage care; she shouldn’t have to fight for her future, too
Tatiana is nine years-old now and knows just what she needs to be happy. But then Tatiana has always known her own mind; even as a tiny child, trapped in an orphanage cot
Paul’s story: Why “The blackest plan” wasn’t his only way to stay fed and warm
Keeping their family together is the best way to keep Paul and his siblings safe.
Carrol’s story
“We used to be distressed, wondering how our child was being treated in the institution but now we are quite sure of how he is treated because he is in our hands.”

Email updates

Receive occasional updates about our work, fundraising and events.
First name*
Surname*
Email address
Country
Country
Want to hear from us by post?
Address*
Address line 1 Address line 2 Town/City County/State Postcode/ZIP Country
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Please note that we take great care to consider how we and when we contact you and your personal information is treated with the utmost concern in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and all other data protection law. You can view our privacy policy here www.hopeandhomes.org/privacy or you can request a copy by emailing dataprotection@hopeandhomes.org. We will never share your data with any other organisation (unless they are working on our behalf). Thank you.