Latest news

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

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.

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 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.

Our social workers carry out the difficult task of closing orphanages by finding loving families for children. Amra Viteskic is part of our team in Bosnia & Herzegovina, and this is her story.

The dream of one of our founders, Caroline Cook, has led to thousands of children around the world finding safe, loving homes. In 2019, our 25th anniversary year, we took a moment to reflect on all that has been achieved for children during that time.

Our Ukraine-born Global Ambassador is calling on the eastern European country to stop locking up children and not to backpedal on plans to shut down its 700 state-run orphanages by 2026.

Ukraine’s U-turn on shutting the world’s biggest network of state-run orphanages flies in the face of international law and leaves 100,000 children at risk of torture, sexual violence and trafficking.

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.

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.

New research reveals how unprepared and unsupported young Latin American people feel when they leave orphanages and other kinds of institutional care. The experience of young care-leavers must guide reform in the region.

New research reveals how unprepared and unsupported young Latin American people feel when they leave orphanages and other kinds of institutional care. The experience of young care-leavers must guide reform in the region.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Leading international law firm Allen & Overy extend their Global Charity Partnership with us to provide extra support for our work during the Coronavirus crisis.

Experts from our International Programmes team guest edit the latest edition of Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond.

We’re working tirelessly against Coronavirus 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 chief executive, Mark Waddington CBE, has written to supporters explaining how we plan to overcome the challenges of Coronavirus—and how they can help.

An update from our Chief Executive, Mark Waddington CBE, regarding the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Tourists who visit orphanages risk fuelling a form of modern slavery where children are taken from their families and exploited for profit, a new book launched today confirms.

Seven years ago, we cofounded the Opening Doors for Europe’s Children campaign, dedicated to strengthening families and ending institutional care in Europe. Today, at an event in Brussels, we mark the end of the campaign and celebrate its achievements.

Wonderful news from Rwanda! All the children who were confined to the Wikwiheba Mwana orphanage have now left to join loving families and this institution is closed for good.

Today, for the first time ever, all 193 member states of the United Nations have formally recognised that orphanages don’t protect children, they harm them, and have called for the progressive elimination of institutional care globally.

This year marks our 25th anniversary and what better moment to reflect on all that’s been achieved for children during that time, thanks entirely to the generosity of our wonderful supporters and the dedication of our staff around the world.

Two veteran politicians took their chance to turn the tables and grill a pair of the UK's most experienced political journalists, at Hope and Homes for Children's annual Swapping Seats fundraising event in London today.

Thank you so much for your support for Hope and Homes for Children. We are closer to a world in which orphanages are recognised as unacceptable and every child can grow up where they belong: in a loving family.

We’re delighted to announce that the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has granted Hope and Homes for Children Special Consultative Status.

Nearly two hundred children are now where they belong; with people who love them, thanks to the successful closure of the Sfântu Spiridon orphanage in Targu Frumos, Iasi county, Romania.

We’re excited to announce that Hope and Homes for Children and ElfiSanta have partnered up, to bring festive joy to children all over the world this Christmas.

This year marks our 25th anniversary and what better moment to reflect on all that’s been achieved for children during that time, thanks entirely to the generosity of our wonderful supporters and the dedication of our staff around the world.

In the last of our four-part series, Home for Good founder Krish Kandiah chats to Hope and Homes for Children’s Steve Coffey, and suggests how the Church can start to rethink its care for vulnerable children.

In this third of our four-part series, Home for Good founder Krish Kandiah chats to Hope and Homes for Children’s Steve Coffey, and addresses the shift in how people are thinking about orphanages.

A new Orphanage Tourism Taskforce launches today, led by Hope and Homes for Children and ABTA—The Travel Association, in response to the global issue of a burgeoning orphanage ‘industry’.

This year marks our 25th anniversary and what better moment to reflect on all that’s been achieved for children during that time, thanks entirely to the generosity of our wonderful supporters and the dedication of our staff around the world.

Mark Waddington, Hope and Homes for Children’s CEO, said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to appoint Mariana Dahan as an ambassador for us. I am very grateful to her for having the confidence and commitment to Hope and Homes for Children to take on this responsibility.”

In this second of our four-part series, Home for Good founder Krish Kandiah chats to Hope and Homes for Children and begins to unpick the link between a biblical understanding of family and the Western Church’s historic support of orphanages.

Home for Good’s Founding Director, Krish Kandiah sat down with Steve Coffey, Head of Brand at Hope and Homes for Children, and explained why he’s calling on fellow Christians to change their approach to orphanages.

“The tide is turning. Time is running out for orphanages.” Dr Krish Kandiah calls on Christians to help children around the world find a home life beyond orphanages.

This year marks our 25th anniversary and what better moment to reflect on all that’s been achieved during that time, thanks to our wonderful supporters and our dedicated staff.

All 29 children who were confined to Vidin orphanage for babies in Bulgaria have left to join safe and loving families and this institution is now closed.

We’re excited to announce that global firm RELX has voted for Hope and Homes for Children to become its new global fundraising partner.

Dr Krish Kandiah calls on Christians to help children around the world find a home life beyond orphanages.

In a hard-hitting article, this month’s Family Traveller Magazine explains why orphanage tourism ends up harming the very children the volunteers are trying to help.

Not enough shoppers know about AmazonSmile, Amazon’s philanthropic way for people to shop online. AmazonSmile is a program that makes donations to your favorite charity at no extra cost to you.

Hope and Homes for Children partners with international organisations to launch a new free online course “Caring for children moving alone”, to protect the rights of the estimated 28 million children who are living in a situation of forced displacement.

Today, at the European Parliament, Hope and Homes for Children joins forces with a coalition of partners to launch the Vote for Children campaign, to ensure that the next European Parliament continues to defend and protect children’s rights at home and abroad, and guarantee that all children can grow up in families.

Hope and Homes for Children’s founder Mark Cook, yesterday interviewed for BBC Radio Wiltshire, tells us the history of the charity he and his wife Caroline founded 25 years ago

In September 2018, Hope and Homes for Children were selected by Allen & Overy’s staff across the world to be their Global Charity Partner. Their first fundraising campaign raised an amazing £423k for India and Nepal life-changing programmes.

We are delighted to announce that Hope and Homes for Children’s partnership with The St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation has been nominated for a 'Better Society' Award in the category “Partnership with an International Charity”. It's fantastic to see the impact of this incredible partnership being recognised by the influential “Better Society Network”.

A great milestone has been reached as one of the UK Governments largest funding mechanisms (£150 million) for developing countries, UK Aid Direct,  clearly states in its latest funding guidance, “UK Aid Direct will not fund Orphanages and children's institutions”.

We’re delighted to announce that an eagerly-awaited new family support service opened this week in Moldova. The official opening of the Balti Early Intervention Service marks an important step towards keeping families together and preventing children entering the orphanage system.

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.

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.

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.

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’.

A brand new event is coming to London! When your family runs together, you’ll help families stay together

We are delighted to share the news that our Chief Executive Officer, Mark Waddington, has been recognised for services to global child protection in the New Year’s Honour’s list.

Everyone at Hope and Homes for Children has been deeply saddened to hear of the death of our Patron, Lord Paddy Ashdown, the first Patron of Hope and Homes for Children.

Something vital is missing from the traditional picture on our card. This December we’re asking our supporters to imagine the inconceivable: a child alone without a family at Christmas.

Today we mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities with our message: "Children with disabilities need families, never orphanages."

The chance to help children grow up in families, not orphanages, is in your hands. Literally. If you’re up for a challenge sign up to one of the fantastic fundraising adventures!

Home and Homes for Children’s Ambassador, Rukhiya Budden, has called on the UK Government to live up to its commitment to help end the institutionalisation of children around the world.

Volunteers and tourists want to help children in orphanages in Nepal but their efforts may do more harm than good.

Well-meaning youngsters who travel abroad to help children living in orphanages risk doing more harm than good. That’s the hard-hitting message of a global campaign, launched today. 

Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, Hope and Homes for Children has closed six orphanages around the world so far this year. Thank you.

The chance to help children grow up in families, not orphanages, is in your hands. Literally. If you’re up for a challenge - such as completing an epic cycling journey, or setting a personal best in a marathon - sign up to one of the fantastic fundraising adventures we are organising for 2019.

Two veteran politicians got their own back on a pair of high-profile journalists today at Hope and Homes for Children’s annual Swapping Seats fundraising event in London. 

We are delighted to share a significant policy paper that puts the best interests of the child at the heart of EU investments.

"Visiting the Gahanga institution in Kigali was a shocking experience. I vividly remember the high metal gates at the entrance. It didn’t look like a place any child should live."

More than 75 million listeners across the globe heard the story of a life in an orphanage on the BBC World Service’s Outlook programme

We are over the moon that that Hope and Homes for Children has been chosen by Allen & Overy’s staff across the world to be their next Global Charity Partner.

The company’s Global Charity Partnership scheme brings together the skills and resources of one of the world’s largest law firms to make a lasting impact on the work of a single charity.

Hard hitting film by The Economist exploring the rise of the terrible orphanage system in Romania and explaining why Hope and Homes for Children is determined to bring about 'The End of Orphanages' there

Rukhiya Budden, an Ambassador for Hope and Homes for Children, has been sharing her harrowing personal story of growing up in an orphanage in Kenya with Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio 2

Our CEO, Mark Waddington, and orphanage survivor, Oggi Tomic, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme to explain why there’s no such thing as a ‘good’ orphanage

Rukhiya Budden is the first to say that today, she leads a very privileged life. She lives in a lovely home in Buckinghamshire with her husband and their three beautiful daughters. But her own childhood could not have been more different.

Yesterday, for the first time, the UK formally recognised that orphanages harm children and promised to back family and community-based care for children around the world. 

For the first time the UK government has formally recognised that overseas orphanages harm children and has promised to support closures, long-term.

The increased risk posed to children with disabilities by orphanages will be in the spotlight ahead of the first ever Global Disability Summit in London this week.

A photographer who taught camera skills to children in Sarajevo’s Bjelave orphanage in 1997 has returned to Bosnia to capture on film how their lives have unfolded.

Our founders and former staff have been sharing memories of our patron, Lord Carrington, and paying tribute to the vital contribution he made to Hope and Homes for Children.

Listen to the BBC Radio 4 programme “From Our Own Correspondent” which further highlights the danger of orphanages.

Mark and Caroline Cook receive the equivalent of a knighthood for their work to close orphanages and reform the country’s child protection system over the last 20 years. 

"He was sat, completely still and silent...who knows how long he’d been there, waiting for someone to remember him and help him?" During her visit to an orphanage in Kenya last week, Writer and Story Gatherer, Isobel Eaton recalls the impact a little boy called Elijah, made on her.

It is difficult working in Sudan. Our country team often go months at a time without being paid. Here, Farid Idris explains how working with the local Islamic council is changing attitudes towards unmarried mothers and abandoned babies.

Another orphanage is confined to history, as the last two children living in Vratsa orphanage, Bulgaria, leave to join safe and loving families.

Our mission to eliminate institutional care of children continues to gain momentum, with the closure last month of Veniamin Costache in Romania.

On the anniversary of orphanage fire tragedy in Guatemala, we join calls to end the institutionalisation of children

COUNTDOWN host Nick Hewer accepts a cheque for £200,000 from the players of People's Postcode Lottery

In July, Boris Pomroy, Head of Major Partnerships and Brand, visited the work of Child’s i foundation, our partners in Uganda, to see why support in both Uganda and Rwanda is so badly needed. Here is his report about an orphanage started 'accidentally'.

Ionut is a remarkable young man. He grew up in the Romanian orphanage system, where he suffered a terrible childhood. Since leaving institutionalisation, he has harnessed his resilience, empathy and compassion to ease the suffering of others through volunteering. Today is the UN International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development, and we would like to share his story with you.

Hope and Homes for Children are listening to, learning from and supporting young people who are making the journey from institutions to independent living at a regional conference in Bolivia this week.

On Universal Children's Day, we celebrate the story of Ben, Bryan and Billy, triplets saved from a life in an orphanage.

Hope and Homes for Children gave two leading members of the House of Lords the chance to get their own back on journalists today by letting the politicians ask the questions at our annual Swapping Seats lunch in London.

This week, the Eastern Daily Press shared the Hope and Homes for Children story and our explosive End the Silence campaign.

Hope and Homes for Children has released a new report calling on the EU to support child protection reform beyond its own borders.

We are proud to announce the launch of our End the Silence campaign. Sir Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Mark Ronson are among music stars urging fans to join them in sharing childhood musical memories online - for children suffering silently in orphanages.

Hope and Homes for Children’s staff and supporters have been sharing their sadness and remembering the contribution of Princess Marina Sturdza, who has died of cancer, aged 65.

At Hope and Homes for Children we place great emphasis on child participation. Our whole ethos is based on listening to children to find out what they want, rather than assuming we know what they need.

Donations to Hope and Homes for Children between 27th September and 27th December 2017 will be doubled by the UK Government as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.

“I know what it means to grow up without the love and protection of a family, so I’m thrilled to present Hope and Homes for Children’s BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal,” said Lemn Sissay.

This Sunday, the writer and actor Lemn Sissay will present our BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal at 7:54am and 9:26pm, and again on Thursday October 5th at 3:27pm.

Bogdan and Alex are the best of friends. They have a lot in common. Both boys were abandoned as babies and, until recently, the only home they had ever known was a loveless Romanian orphanage.

Dima is an outgoing 13-year-old from Moldova who takes an interest in other people and the world around him. For most of his childhood though, no one has taken any interest in him. Because he has multiple disabilities, Dima has spent most of his childhood confined to an orphanage and denied the chance to learn or develop. Now though, Dima is starting a new life in a Small Family Home where he will be cared for as an individual and encouraged to achieve his true potential.

Gergana is nine years old. She lives with her mother, Ivanka and her younger brother, Boris, in a town in the South of Bulgaria. Their flat has only one bedroom and very little furniture but they are safe and they are together. After all that they've been through in recent months, that is what counts.

We are delighted to announce that this week we have reached a significant landmark, completing our 100th orphanage closure.

Welcome to the team Richard Greenhalgh! Our new Chair of Trustees joins us at an exciting time of growth and innovation.

Today the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), in partnership with Hope and Homes for Children, launches the One Child One Family project, which will see young children in institutional care moved in to families.

Johnny is one of 7,500 children in Romania confined to an institute, who will benefit from recent EU funds to close 50 orphanages across the country.

The recently published addition of 'Hope' is now available to read on our website. The many inspiring stories detailing our work demonstrate the way our incredible teams are able to transform children's lives.

Margaret Heffernan speaking at our head office near Salisbury in May 2017

Hope and Homes for Children supports the All the Children Count Campaign which calls on the UN to include all children, wherever they live, in its statistics.

MORE than 5,800 real life "superheroes" were given the power to prevent kids being abandoned to orphanages in 2016 - according to figures in our new Impact Report.

A Volunteer's Story - time, energy, experience... and cake: just some of the things that volunteers like Audrey bring to our work

My name is Norbi, I’m 16 years old and I live in Romania. Last summer Hope and Homes for Children invited me to take part in a project called 'My life, my voice'

If Tudor's mother had not had the support she needed to be able to stand up to the authorities, he would not have a family to love and protect him.

Tatiana isn’t special because she has Down Syndrome. She’s special because she’s Tatiana. To celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, this is her story.

Photography enthusiasts have been flocking to Soho Square, in London, for an imaginative exhibition which is helping Hope and Homes for Children to end orphanage-care.

Hope and Homes for Children is renewing its call on governments to commit to a world without orphanages, after a fire killed more than 30 girls at a Guatemalan institution for teenagers this week.

Today we are publishing our Impact Report, which sets out the positive changes we’ve made to the lives of children and families over the last year.

New research, published by Hope and Homes for Children, reveals the extent to which Ukraine's vast system of orphanages and other institutions is failing vulnerable children and resisting reform.

Today, we launch the second phase of Opening Doors for Europe's Children, a pan-European campaign to strengthen families and promote the transition from institutional to family- and community-based care for children across the Continent.

We are delighted to announce that, after years of negotiation and repeated set-backs, the Government of Ukraine has formally recognised our innovative Family Support Centres as an official part of the country’s child protection system.

A powerful article “Out of sight: the orphanages where disabled children are abandoned”, published by The Guardian online this week, highlights the abuse of children with special needs who are confined to an institution in Mexico City. “A dozen children with cerebral palsy lie on thin mattresses on the floor of a spacious room. A […]

We are delighted to report the successful closure of the Institution for Children with Hearing Impairments in Balti, Moldova. Thanks to a close working partnership between Hope and Homes for Children and the local authorities, all the children who were housed in, or attended, the specialist facility are now living fulltime with their biological families […]

This week, Hope and Homes for Children hosted a national conference in Bulgaria to show how our model of collaboration can help to end the institutional care of babies and children. Since 2012, we have been working closely with the Bulgarian government on their programme to eradicate children’s institutions, with an immediate focus on closing […]

We’re delighted to announce that the Zlatica orphanage in Bulgaria has now closed for good after the last child living there – a five-month-old baby girl – left this week. She is now living with a family who can give her the individual love and attention that all children need to thrive and be happy. […]

We’ve just had some wonderful news from our team in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This morning they signed an agreement with the local authorities to close the Bjelave Institution, the largest orphanage in the capital, Sarajevo. Every closure agreement is good news but today’s announcement holds a special significance. Bjelave is the place where the story […]

Today is International Women’s Day. To celebrate, and to remember the enormous challenges that women still face around the world, we’d like to share Nuha’s story. Nuha is a single mother who lives in Sudan, with her baby son, Ghassan. These facts alone make her a remarkable woman because, in Sudan, unmarried mothers and their […]

Wonderful news – the “Home of Hope” orphanage in Kigali is now closed. The last young adult, an 18 year old boy named Nshuti, left the institution last week and is now living with his Godparents. When we began our work with “Home of Hope”, the institution housed 59 children under the age of 17. […]