On responsible orphan care

Over the past few years I've been researching what best practice information might be available regarding the ZMF-C work that we're involved in. I'm not surprised to see much has been written and published. I am surprised though to see too little of it implemented.
In the last 18 months ZMF-C has updated its philosophy on care of orphans with input from Zambians, and from resources that I'll attempt to provide quotes and links for your 'reading pleasure" over the next few blogs.

The care ZMF-C is attempting to provide is temporary, emergency care and working strongly with churches and families to reunite the babies safely and quickly to families for many reasons. Stay tuned!

What do infants, families, churches and communities need? They need to know that God is speaking to all of us involved in the care of orphans in Psalms 68:6. God places the lonely in families, not orphan homes.

Our experience is that family exists, but may need some support, encouragement and or capacity building to enable them to care for the "orphans". Timmy and Molly were not orphans but were in care for 3 1/2 years ~ they just needed their extended family. Theywere reunited earlier this year (see blogs from February 2012)

From Firelight Foundation - Promise of a Future

THE CHALLENGE

Africa is Being Ravaged by HIV/AIDS and Children are Paying the Greatest Price

Another 10 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa will lose their parents by 2015 due to HIV/AIDS. They will join the 14 million African children who have already lost their mothers or fathers to the disease, bringing the total to 24 million orphans in the region. This is an orphan crisis without historical precedent. It calls for a broad-based response that is compassionate and strategic, and addresses the root cause of the pandemic, which is poverty.

Family and Community Safety Nets Are Weakened by HIV/AIDS

A common thread that runs through Africa’s diverse cultures is that of extended family members stepping in to provide orphans with a nurturing home and a family, which children need to grow into healthy adults. Given the scale and scope of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, it is remarkable that most of the children who have been orphaned continue to be cared for by extended family members. But this safety net is becoming less reliable as more and more caregivers die. Family and community resources are stretched to the breaking point and are in need of help.

Many African countries and international organizations recognize the shortcomings of institutions and discourage their use. They recognize that some children are placed in orphanages by family members to access food, clothing, and an education. They know that the existence of an orphanage can weaken a community’s motivation to address orphan issues.

Building More Orphanages is not in the Best Interests of Children

The sheer number of orphaned and vulnerable children is overwhelming. Many well-meaning donors are funding orphanages as a solution to the problem. However, institutions are very expensive and can only reach limited numbers of children. Most importantly, orphanages often fail to meet children’s developmental needs and do not prepare them for adult life in a community. While institutions can serve as a temporary, last-resort response, they are not a long-term solution.