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. You can stop this. Donate now to prevent children losing the safety of home, and ensure the global recovery from Coronavirus is built on the foundations of strong, supported families.

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Latest news

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

News

BBC Radio 4 interview reflects on the plight of Romanian orphanages, 31 years ago
Hope and Homes for Children’s founder, Mark Cook, and orphanage survivor, Alexandra Smart, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s The Reunion to discuss their experience
We demand states close down institutions for children and protect rights of Romani families
Hope and Homes for Children and the European Roma Rights Centre demand that European states commit to shutting down orphanages in order to prevent the discriminatory institutionalisation of Romani children.
No child left behind: Pioneering programme proves all children can thrive in families
The success of a groundbreaking project to close orphanages in Rwanda and Uganda, shows that all children can leave institutions for the warmth and security of a family, once they have the right support.
The EU has unveiled a new Child Rights Strategy. What difference could it make for children and families?
The European Commission released the new EU Child Rights Strategy to improve the rights of children both within the EU and across the world. But is it any good? Having studied it closely, here’s our first response.

Future Gifts and cards

Our selection of Future Gifts and cards is now available to buy online. Every purchase helps to give even more children the one thing they want and need most in the world: a family to love them.

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Latest blog posts

Blog

How many children are there in orphanages around the world?
We know that orphanages are harmful to children. But it is difficult to determine the scale of the problem. Exactly how many children are there in orphanages around the world? As Victoria Olarte, Senior Strategic Research Partner explains, statistics and evidence in the world of child rights is an ever-evolving picture. Since 2005, I’ve […]
An incredible journey: Lighting the way to family care for every child
Innocent Habimfura, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, looks back on an extraordinary journey to lay the foundations for inclusive childcare reform in Rwanda and beyond.
Meet the Romanian orphan who wants to shut every orphanage on Earth – 31 years after Ceausescu.
Romanian orphanage survivor and Hope and Homes for Children Global Ambassador Alexandra Smart spoke to BBC Radio 4’s The Reunion programme this week, for an episode which marked 31 years since news reports about Romania’s inhumane orphanages first shook the world. During her interview with presenter Kirsty Wark, Alexandra reflected on the first three years […]
I know what happens when a government takes a child from her mother
‘The Secret Life of Dorothy Soames’ recounts Justine Cowan’s mother’s upbringing as a foundling in London. Justine recounts her experience of the consequences of denying women the chance to raise their children, and denying children their mother’s love.

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 families we work with. Here are some of their stories.

Stories

Finding family: Devi’s extraordinary journey home to be where she belongs
Devi lost her mum on a crowded railway platform and spent seven years alone in India’s orphanage system. Then she met Nipa, the woman who would help her find her way back home.
Free from domestic abuse, free from orphanages: Esmeralda’s story
Like untold numbers of women Esmeralda faced an impossible choice; stay with a violent husband, or leave and risk losing her children to an orphanage. This is her story.
Financially empowering women can keep families together: Valerie’s story
Valerie is a courageous woman who has overcome many obstacles to care for her children alone. With our support, Valerie was able to train as a tailor and begin to build a more secure future for her family by making and repairing clothes.
“Am I yours now?”
Alemadina’s story
Alemadina spent three years by herself in the biggest orphanage in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Now she has a new mum to care for her, and to let her know that she belongs.

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