Rethinking Orphanage Volunteering

At Time to Help (UK), our overseas volunteering programmes have always been shaped by a desire to serve communities with care, humility and respect.

Last year, while discussing the promotion of our overseas trips with a university, an important concern was raised around “orphanage volunteerism”. This term is often used to describe short-term volunteering experiences in orphanages or residential care settings which, when not carefully planned, may unintentionally place the experience of the volunteer ahead of the long-term wellbeing of the child.

Rather than dismissing the concern, we felt it was important to listen, learn and reflect.

Bringing Experts Together

On 20 April 2026, Time to Help (UK) hosted a roundtable discussion on orphanage volunteerism and ethical international volunteering.

We were grateful to be joined by professionals working across child welfare, international development, safeguarding and ethical volunteering. Our panel included Olivia Barker White from Kids Club Kampala, Ridwana Wallace-Laher from Islamic Help, Dr Nelly Ali from the UCL Institute of Education, and Imtiaz Patel from Help Yateem.

The discussion was thoughtful, honest and constructive. It gave us the opportunity to consider difficult but necessary questions:

  • What does responsible support for children in residential care look like?
  • How can charities ensure that volunteering programmes protect children’s dignity, safety and emotional wellbeing?
  • How can international volunteers support local systems without replacing trained caregivers?
  • What practical steps can organisations take to promote family-based and community-led care?

Listening to the Concerns

One of the key themes discussed was that many children living in residential care may still have parents, relatives or wider family networks. In many situations, separation from family is linked to poverty, lack of access to education, healthcare or social support, rather than the absence of family members.

The roundtable also explored the risks that can arise when children repeatedly form relationships with short-term visitors, only to experience separation when those volunteers leave. Even with the best intentions, this can affect children’s sense of stability and emotional wellbeing.

Safeguarding was another central focus. Organisations working with children must ensure that all staff, volunteers and partners are appropriately screened, trained and supervised. Children’s safety, privacy and dignity must always come first.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

The discussion did not suggest that charities should turn away from supporting children in residential care. Instead, it highlighted the need to rethink how this support is delivered.

Our approach will increasingly focus on support that is practical, sustainable and child-centred. This includes helping local partners strengthen education, infrastructure, skills development, safeguarding and long-term care arrangements.

We also recognise the importance of supporting family- and community-based alternatives wherever possible. This may include family reunification, kinship care, foster care, education support and programmes that help families remain together.

For volunteers, this means moving away from unstructured or direct caregiving roles. Instead, volunteering should focus on supervised, skills-based and practical contributions that strengthen local systems and respond to real community needs.

Our Action Plan

Following the roundtable, we have produced our first Roundtable Discussion Summary and Action Plan on Orphanage Volunteerism.

The action plan outlines practical commitments for Time to Help (UK), including:

  • Strengthening safeguarding, screening and training requirements
  • Reviewing volunteering roles and boundaries
  • Improving ethical media and communication practices
  • Consulting children and listening to their experiences where appropriate
  • Working closely with local partners and child welfare specialists
  • Supporting family- and community-based care models
  • Reviewing funding and partnership arrangements to ensure that they promote long-term wellbeing

This will be an ongoing learning process. We know that responsible practice requires reflection, partnership and a willingness to adapt as evidence and best practice develop.

Sharing What We Have Learned

We are sharing this discussion summary and action plan in the hope that it can support other charities, universities, volunteer groups and community organisations who are also considering these important questions.

Good intentions matter, but they are not enough on their own. The needs, rights and long-term wellbeing of children must remain at the centre of every decision.

We are grateful to every speaker, participant and partner who contributed their experience and insight to this important conversation.

Read our Roundtable Discussion Summary and Action Plan on Orphanage Volunteerism here.

Shaping The Future

In a remote corner of Jinja, Uganda, lies the Wampa Orphanage—a place where approximately 30 children reside, each with their own unique story of hardship. Some have lost their parents, while others live separately from their families due to dire circumstances. The conditions in which these children live are far from ideal, with open and dilapidated bathrooms, overcrowded and inadequate sleeping arrangements, and a substandard cooking area. My recent visit to the Wampa Orphanage opened my eyes to the stark reality these children face daily, and it stirred a deep desire within me to make a positive difference in their lives.

The Wampa Orphanage is a place where dreams are stifled by the harshness of life. It is heart-wrenching to see children forced to use bathrooms without doors, in deplorable conditions that lack the most basic sanitation and privacy. To compound their struggles, some of these children have to share a single bed due to the limited resources available, leading to disrupted sleep and discomfort. The cooking area further accentuates their adversity, with negative conditions that impact their health and well-being.



Living in such dire circumstances can have profound and lasting effects on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of these children. Lack of proper sanitation facilities puts them at risk of diseases, while overcrowded sleeping arrangements deprive them of the rest they desperately need for healthy growth and development. The inadequate cooking area compromises their nutrition, making it even more challenging for them to thrive.

My visit to the Wampa Orphanage left a lasting impression on me, and I am committed to taking action to improve the lives of these children. While I cannot change their past, I firmly believe that together, we can shape their future for the better. Here are some ways in which we can make a meaningful difference:

Improving Sanitation: The first step is to renovate and upgrade the bathrooms and toilets, providing the children with clean and private facilities that promote good hygiene and health.

Enhancing Sleeping Conditions: We can work on securing donations or funding to provide more beds, mattresses, and bedding to ensure that each child has a comfortable and safe place to sleep.

Revamping the Cooking Area: The cooking area can be transformed into a clean and efficient space, ensuring that the children receive nutritious meals daily.

The Wampa Orphanage in Jinja, Uganda, is home to children who deserve a chance at a better life. Witnessing their challenging living conditions has ignited a passion within me to make a difference. Together, with the support of generous individuals and organizations, we can bring hope, comfort, and a brighter future to these children. Let us join hands and work towards transforming the Wampa Orphanage into a place where dreams are nurtured, and the children can flourish despite their challenging circumstances.

 

Yusuf Celik
Head of İnternational Program Manager