Comhlámh’s End of Orphanage Volunteering Campaign

Join Comhlámh and Volunteer Now for a discussion on the Comhlámh’s End of Orphanage Volunteering Campaign.

Tuesday 6^th December at 7pm to 8.30pm (online)

 It is estimated that at least 5.4 million children live in institutions worldwide. Yet over 80% of these have at least one living parent. Research has shown the harm of orphanage care on children’s health, development and wellbeing. We are delighted that care expert Stephen Ucembe, who himself has lived experience of orphanage care, will join us to share his story and talk about changing approaches to caring for children around the world.

Discussion topics:

What are the potential lifelong impacts on children of growing up in orphanages?

Is orphanage volunteering working to perpetuate these institutional systems that separate children from their families and communities?

Is there a need to end orphanage volunteering and to channel support and volunteering commitment into other development areas?

What measures can we put in place to ensure that those who wish to volunteer can meet the needs of the children and communities; and how can we safeguard the volunteers who give their time?

We will hear from a range of speakers including:

Emma Lynch at Tearfund Ireland

Stephen Ucembe, a Kenyan care leaver and Regional Advocacy Manager of Hope and Homes

Rahim Hassanali, VSO and the Project Coordinator of Standards Working Group, International Forum for Volunteering in Development

Further information on Comhlámh’s campaign can be found here: https://comhlamh.org/volunteering-and-orphanage-care/

→ Eventbrite link for registration: http://bit.ly/3OmrJJ0