Has anyone ever heard of Orphan Communities?

LaurieDB

Okay, so I took a gander at the site. It looks like the children receive permanency via a family that consists of surrogate parents and grandparents. They also get their education, job skills and life skills training, access to the Internet in every home, AND they get to stay in their home country in a clean environment where their needs are met.

I think we should be focusing on ways that will improve life in other countries for orphans so they can safely stay in their countries and have all of their needs met. From what I read, this looks promising.

Gaia Raain

My first thought was, "oh my God, they're not using 'orphans' for slave labor, are they?!?" LOL

I don't know. It sounds like a good idea, but something is buzzing around my sleepy brain that just makes me think it's not so good. I can think of a few reasons *I* think it might not be so good, but I have to admit, the reasons I'm thinking of are very westernized, "but this is the way WE do it" type ideas, and I'm too tired to be able to really look at it from outside the box.

I'll have to come back to this in the morning. Thanks for posting. Very interesting.

ETA: After a good nights' sleep, I really can't think of anything other than my westernized views of "family" that would make this a bad idea. I just keep thinking that if there's no feeling of "ownership" of each other (i.e., that's MY mom and dad, that's MY child), then they won't really have family. But before all this westernized, independence crap, it really was true that it takes a VILLAGE to raise a child. So, if I discard my ideas of family, I have to say, this is a great idea! At least, as far as I can see.

Cartier

It seems like a glorified orphanage to me. In general, I think orphanages are good. However, regarding the "surrogate" parents and grandparents-- how permenant are they? If not temporary, I think it's good.

Jennifer L

Well, they mention Liberia. All I can say is that I hope it is well run and that they have armed guards they can trust. This is one of those things that sound good on paper, but I have a feeling that implementing it is going to be a lot tougher than they bargained for. I also agree that a lot depends on the quality of care of the "foster" parents. Living in an institution, regardless of how well run, is no substitute for living with a family.

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