A few years ago, we were shocked by disturbing news about orphanage abuse in Gambia run by a well-known international charity based in the UK. Hundreds of orphans were sexually abused and exploited in illegally operating orphanages in Gambia for years. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. In 2019, the BBC's File on 4 program highlighted the vast sums of international funding that go to orphanages in Uganda, many of which are operating illegally. Their investigation revealed that, in many cases, children in these orphanages were routinely abused, neglected, and exploited. The problem is widespread. Recent reports from an orphanage in India exposed horrifying cases where minors were burned and hung upside down as punishment. Sadly, such misconduct is widespread, with a particularly high number of cases occurring in regions known as hotspots for orphanages.
Orphanages: From Shelter to Business
Orphanages originally intended to provide shelter for orphaned children have now turned into businesses, particularly in developing countries. This practice, known as orphanage tourism—a subset of voluntourism—has gained popularity in recent years. Thousands of children are removed from their families, friends, and communities unnecessarily to fill 'orphanages' and meet tourism demand; this has also led to a disturbing rise in orphan trafficking. Contrary to what many believe, over 80% of children in orphanages have a living parent who could care for them if given proper support.
The Facts:
80% of children living in orphanages have a living parent willing to care for them. If not, a parent, a grandparent, or another relative deeply cares for them. Families often place their children in orphanages for guaranteed food, shelter, and education.
In Thailand, at least 120,000 children are in various institutional care settings, mostly due to poverty and limited access to education, with 90% having at least one living parent. The country relies heavily on institutional care, with over 50% of private orphanages unregistered and unregulated.
In Ghana, a government study found that 90% of orphans had living parents, and 140 out of the 148 orphanages in the country were unregistered. A UNICEF child-protection worker said, "Running an orphanage in Ghana has become a business enterprise, a highly lucrative and profitable venture."
In Malaysia, 64,000 children reside in orphanages across the country. What made it more tragic was that 90 percent of these orphans were not parentless and that a lot of the institutions that they were admitted to were unregistered;
In Nigeria, the House of Representatives has called on the Federal government to address the increasing wave of unregistered orphanage homes in the country.
According to a study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health researchers, nearly 80% of adolescents living in Cambodia’s orphanages have one or more living parents.
The above facts reflect how a large percentage of orphanages are being used to make a profit through the trafficking and luring of children who are not actually orphans, along with the involvement of numerous unregistered orphanage homes. This is just part of the issue. The other half is the abuse that takes place in these orphanages. The disturbing reality of abuse in these institutions is too distressing to detail here; we encourage you to research it yourself by searching "abuse cases + orphanage" or "abuse at the orphanage."
The Issue with Donations
Despite these serious issues, donations for charitable activities linked to orphanage homes, especially in developing countries, continue to increase. The problem isn't donor generosity, which is commendable, but donors failing to ask basic questions and perform due diligence on where their money is going. With just five minutes of simple research, you can help ensure your donations go to the right charity and prevent bad actors from abusing your generosity and destroying innocent lives in the name of charity work.
These findings highlight the urgent need for scrutiny and reform in how orphanages are funded and operated globally. The abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children must be brought to an end, and it begins with awareness and informed action from all of us.
Our Message to Donors
Without the right knowledge, good intentions alone can cause more harm than good. There is always a right way of doing things, and we need to seek the knowledge of how to do them correctly. As a donor or supporter, ensure that the orphanage program you support is managed to the highest standards. Get to Know if these orphanages operate legally, run ethically, and follow best practices. This includes safeguarding children from abuse, prioritizing orphanages as a last resort, avoiding unnecessary recruitment or separation of families, and maintaining transparency in their operations.
Although things may seem disheartening, know that some amazing charities still make a real difference. Your donation matters, and because of people like you, we believe the world can be a better place for everyone. Our goal is to assist you in making a positive impact with informed guidance. Here’s how you can help:
Ask Questions and Donate Wisely: Avoid supporting a charity solely based on its size, reputation, or endorsements from influencers, public figures, or influential individuals. Always conduct your own thorough research on the organization and, most importantly, on individual projects. Prioritize supporting specific initiatives rather than the organization as a whole.
Check Annual Reports: Examine how much is spent on charitable purposes versus administrative and marketing expenses. Ensure the reserve operation costs are reasonable.
Look for Reviews: Check Google reviews and other feedback about the charities you intend to support. Be wary of a high percentage of verified bad reviews or a pattern of known abuse associated with the charity or its founder.
Seek Project Reports: Don’t donate based solely on pictures or videos. Ask for detailed project reports to understand how and where your donation will be used.
Make Them Accountable: Hold the organization accountable to ensure they provide updates and proper reports on your donations. Organizations that truly care and do a proper job will have solid answers, supporting documents, and evidence for all your questions. Remember, whether you donate $1 or more, you have the right to know how your contribution is being spent.
Feel free to use the donor checklist we've put together—it's packed with important questions for charities. It covers key indicators and patterns we've noticed in unethical orphanage operations across different countries. Let's make every dollar count and create a positive impact together!
Our Message to Charities
It's time to do a better job. If you intend to run a charity or non-profit, take full ownership of your work. Children are better off where they are than being sent into beautifully decorated buildings only to be abused behind closed doors. If you can't commit to doing a better job, kindly step aside and let others who truly care take over. The objective is simple: Care for these children as you would care for your own.
When we send our kids to daycare, we ensure they are registered, the staff is trained, there are regular updates, the food is healthy, and their safety is assured. Some centers even go the extra mile to provide assurances that the staff undergo thorough screening by law enforcement agencies, with parents sometimes having direct access to the daycare's CCTV for real-time monitoring. Why should these children be any less important than yours?
One of the basic principles of Islam is to wish for your brother what you wish for yourself. Apply this principle to your work. It's insufficient for charities involved in abuse cases like this to believe that apologizing and providing financial compensation years after neglecting basic checks is acceptable. The truth is no amount of money can heal the deep scars that were left on these children, and it will remain with them forever. Always remember this: When you harm a child, you destroy the future of society because a child who endures such trauma often struggles to grow into a stable member of society. Unfortunately, this cycle often continues, as many abuse victims never fully recover from their trauma.
Please find the detailed checklist we highly recommend charities implement to run ethically and make a real difference. Drawing from global insights into orphanage practices—highlighting both bad and best practices—this tool is designed to provide the right controls to safeguard children in programs and effectively uphold donor trust.
As we conclude
Let's reflect on this verse from the Quran, Verse 93:9: "So do not oppress the orphan." The next time we donate to an orphanage, let's ask ourselves: Are our donations truly helping, or are they being used to oppress the orphans?
To donors: Your contributions can have a profound impact. Move beyond emotional giving and empower yourself with knowledge. Ask questions, choose wisely, and make informed donations.
To charities: Your work is Important. Strive for excellence in ethics and care, guided by responsibility and accountability. Remember, managing charity is a sacred trust, not to be taken lightly. "Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people, to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing." (Quran 4:58). Every action you take can transform lives. Let your decisions reflect the trust placed in you.
May Allah guide us to be among those who benefit others. Ameen.
Till then, Salam and Jazakallah.
Rahimah Kashim
Practicing leader
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