The situation of many children in the world is dramatic, especially in developing countries. We often approach these countries for tourism, perhaps without knowing the true situation of its inhabitants.
But the visit to an orphanage could not become an attraction for visitors. It is what you intend to see the campaign "Children are not tourist attractions", organized by the NGO Friends International with the support of UNICEF.
In the same way that we would not take advantage of a weekend or a getaway to a European city to visit an orphanage, what makes this a tourist option in countries like Cambodia? I think it's a horror, which however seems to be widespread in some developing countries.
Thousands of tourists approach, probably with good purposes, to see the children who are in hospices. But a donation is not enough. Behind many of those hospices there are frauds, donations are lost, children are still helpless after visits.
In those visits for which many orphanages compete, shows featuring children are also offered and products are sold, but the benefits of these dubious practices do not result in children, they do not improve their living conditions.
In Cambodia there is what is known as "orphanage tourism", and the image that precedes this article shows what the campaign wants to highlight: orphaned children cannot be exposed as in a museum, and neither their "caretakers" nor visitors can pretend.
Before visiting an orphanage, really think about what that visit entails. It has been investigated about what is behind that tourism, and despite the good intentions of most visitors, more harm is done than benefit.
A report shows that orphanage tourism does not help the protection of children, maintain their rights or contribute to their education and also contributes to the separation of families from Cambodia.
Therefore, remember: Children are not tourist attractionsThere are other ways to help them and you can do so by informing yourself through NGOs such as those that support the campaign.
Official Site | Thinkbeforevisiting On Babies and more | Children struggling with snakes as a tourist attraction, "School for all", for the education of girls in Cambodia
