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

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.
Children in orphanages need our protection now more than ever, but unplanned closures are not the answer
The Coronavirus pandemic puts children living in orphanages at even greater risk of neglect, abuse and illness. But rushing to close institutions as a response to the crisis will only add to the dangers they face.
Global law firm extends charity partnership to keep children safe in families through pandemic
Leading international law firm Allen & Overy extend their Global Charity Partnership with us to provide extra support for our work during the Coronavirus crisis.

Latest blog posts

Blog

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.
On the frontline of Coronavirus for children and families: Romania
Camelia Arba is a social worker with our team in Romania. Here she describes how the pandemic has affected their work and the families they continue to support.
On the frontline of Coronavirus for children and families: Bulgaria
Valeria Draganova co-ordinates support for vulnerable children as part of Hope and Homes for Children’s expert local team in Bulgaria. This is how she describes their priorities in the face of Coronavirus.

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.

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

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

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.”
To escape her violent marriage, Galina faced an impossible choice
On this day we bring you Galina's story: Faced with the terrible dilemma of having her children sent to an orphanage if she left her violent husband, her courage and determination meant that she is now able to bring her children up within the love and safety of a family.

Upcoming challenges

The 2.6 Challenge
From 26 April 2020
Be a Home Hero and raise funds from your very own living room, bedroom, balcony or garden
Trek Bosnia
Unfortunately, this year’s Trek Bosnia challenge has been cancelled. Please do keep checking back for news about our overseas challenge in 2021.
Marathon Walk London
19 September 2020
London
REGISTER TODAY!
If running a marathon isn’t for you, then join Team Hope this September for a marathon WALK around our capital city
Royal Parks Half Marathon
11 October 2020
Hyde Park, London
PLACES ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Register today to secure your place in this iconic half marathon in 2020

Email updates

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