Education needs safety: Sofiya's dream of a biology career in Ukraine
At 17, Sofiya is the oldest of five children. She lives with her parents and younger siblings in Ukraine, in the same home they lived ...
Growing up in institutional care violates a child’s rights.
Over 80 years of international research has shown it can severely harm children’s physical and cognitive development.
It also exposes them to a higher risk of abuse and neglect.
Many orphanages around the world are run for profit over children’s wellbeing. In some, we’ve found evidence of abusive practices. But even when run with the best efforts and intentions, institutional systems and settings struggle to provide what children really need – love.
We’ve helped prove that institutions are not only harmful but also costly to maintain. The resources pumped into them could be better invested in services that strengthen and support families, and tackle the causes of separation.
It is a global problem
80%
on average 80% of children in orphanages have a living parent.
5.4 Million
An estimated 5.4 Million children are living in institutions worldwide.
300
300 global research studies show the long term harm of institutions to children.