Jesus Hates Orphanages

Our Movement

There are approximately 5.4 million children around the world who are confined to institutional care ('orphanages', 'child care institutions', 'children & baby homes', 'children's villages' etc). Extensive research shows that children growing up in an orphanage is damaging to children, families and communities. Orphanages exploit children and exposes them to abuse.

Orphanages should not be a part of any care system.

Churches and faith-based communities continue to support orphanages as a part of their faith and mission. This is misguided, wrong and needs to stop.

There is no such thing as a 'good' orphanage.

This campaign highlights the damage of institutional care and outlines better ways to support children and families.

About

Our History

Our Partners

Our History

The Jesus Hates Orphanages movement was born out of the global movement to end institutional care for children, and to specifically call on churches, faith-based organisations and faith communities to stop supporting orphanages.

While faith-based communities are extremely generous, funding orphanages is damaging children, families, communities and care systems.

Who we are

Our Partners

Our History

We are a global and diverse ‘motley crew’ who believe that children should grow up in families and communities, and not be exposed to, or grow up in long-term institutional care.

We are made up of people with lived-care experience (those who have grown up in orphanages), adoptees, child safeguarding specialists, those previously worked or

We are a global and diverse ‘motley crew’ who believe that children should grow up in families and communities, and not be exposed to, or grow up in long-term institutional care.

We are made up of people with lived-care experience (those who have grown up in orphanages), adoptees, child safeguarding specialists, those previously worked or volunteered in orphanages, police officers who have worked on cases of abuse in orphanages, journalists and researchers.

Our team is made up of both non-religious and religious folk that includes several practising Christians.

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Our Partners

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at admin@jesushatesorphanages.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Why does Jesus Hate Orphanages?

There are approximately 5.4 million children around the world who are confined to institutional care (‘orphanages'). Research shows that growing up in an orphanage is damaging to children, families and communities. Orphanages exploit children and exposes them to abuse. Organisers of this campaign have witnessed, first-hand, the damage that orphanages do. Children growing up in orphanages not only suffer the damage of institutional care but are also exposed to a higher risk of abuse, neglect and used as commodities for fund-raising, adoption and trafficking. Orphanages are anti-family as they deprive children of the right to be cared for in a family.

Institutional care contradicts God’s design for children to grow up in loving families. Jesus’ love for children and His desire for justice, restoration, and family wholeness means He would oppose systems that harm children, even inadvertently. While orphanages may have been created with good intentions, they fall short of God’s vision for children’s care. Instead, Jesus would call His followers to prioritise families, relational, and restorative solutions that honour the inherent value and dignity of every child.

Orphanages were started in many parts of the world as a part of the colonisation process, in the US for example, orphanages were used to enforce 'westernisation' and 'christianisation' of children - stripping them of their name, language, culture, identity and family. This is a legacy that still exists today - so while many people start and support orphanages with the right, albeit misguided, intentions, the genesis of orphanages is more murky, deceitful and evil.

Orphanages work against God's plan and best for children, and are a scourge on society.

So yes, Jesus really does Hate Orphanages.

What does the bible say about 'orphanages'?

The Bible does not mention orphanages as they are a relatively modern concept. Instead, Scripture emphasises the importance of families, care for vulnerable children, and the broader community's responsibility to provide support and protection. Here's a summary of key biblical teachings about children and families:

God’s Design for Families

The Family as the Foundation of Society
- Families are central to God's design for human relationships. Parents are tasked with raising children in love and faith:
  - “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
  - “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3)

Parental Responsibility
- The Bible emphasises the role of parents in nurturing and guiding their children:
  - “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)
  - “Impress [God's commandments] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

God’s Concern for the Fatherless
- The Bible repeatedly highlights God's care for children and His command for His people to do the same:
  - “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5)
  - “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.” (Exodus 22:22)
  - “The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow.” (Psalm 146:9)

The Community’s Responsibility
- God’s people are called to protect and provide for the vulnerable within their communities, rather than outsourcing care to institutions:
  - “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3)
  - “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

The Value of Family Care

God Sets the Lonely in Families
- God’s ideal for children is to grow up in the context of a loving family:
  - “God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing.” (Psalm 68:6)

The Early Church as a Family Model
- The New Testament highlights the early church's role in caring for one another as a spiritual family, especially for widows and orphans:
  - “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)
  - “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Biblical Implications

The Bible’s vision for caring for children emphasises family restoration and community-based support over institutional care.
It aligns with understanding that children thrive best in families, whether through reintegration with biological families, kinship care, or foster care.
Churches are called to actively support vulnerable families to prevent child separation and to prioritise systems that provide relational, family care for children in need.

In summary, the Bible does not mention orphanages, it consistently emphasises caring for vulnerable children within the context of family and community. This provides a strong theological foundation for moving away from institutional care toward family solutions.

But aren't children in orphanages 'orphans' with no one to care for them?

Research has revealed that not all children in orphanages are orphans. 80-90% of the children in these institutions have a living parent. So how do they end up in these institutions? In many cases poverty has forced parents to surrender their children to total strangers in the hope of helping their children attain formal education and provide the other basic needs. These include food, clothes, shelter and health insurance. Most of these parents sign papers that they will not come for their children or even claim them. This traumatizes not only the child but the parents as well. No parent wants to have their child brought up by strangers.

Even for children who have lost parents, there are many options and care alternatives that can keep the child in a family and community setting. Kinship care (extended family) is the primary care setting for children who have lost parents and should be supported and explored before any out-of-biological family settings are sought.

Every child has a right to be brought up in a family and have a sense of belonging.

But aren't orphanages just trying to help?

As much as some orphanage owners want to help children, many are in it for money making and egotistical purposes. Orphanages make money from various humanitarian groups, churches and individual donors. Other orphanages get funding directly from governments. For an orphanage owner that is money-minded, they don’t care much about the physical, emotional, social and psychological status of these children. We have witnessed many orphanages around the world where children are purposely left in terrible conditions in order to attract more donations from well-wishers and donors - it is a business that needs to make profits.

Many people involved in orphanages do so because they like the adulation, status and power that often come with establishing and running an orphanage, which are selfish and dangerous reasons to work with children.

Even those who support or run orphanages with good intentions - Orphanages do not help children, they harm them - the next section outlines exactly the problems with orphanages.

What are some of the problems with Orphanages?

1. Attachment Issues

Problem: Orphanages lack consistent caregivers, resulting in children being unable to form secure emotional bonds. Attachment issues may lead to long-term relational and emotional difficulties, such as reactive attachment disorder (RAD).
Cause: High child-to-caregiver ratios and caregiver turnover prevent the formation of reliable, nurturing relationships.
Impact: Children may exhibit social withdrawal, lack trust in others, or have difficulty forming healthy relationships in adulthood.
Reference: Smyke, A. T., Dumitrescu, A., & Zeanah, C. H. (2002). Attachment disturbances in young children: I. The continuum of caretaking casualty. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

2. Lack of Personal Care

Problem: Basic personal needs, such as hygiene, nutrition, and healthcare, are often inadequately met in under-resourced orphanages.
Cause: Financial constraints, lack of trained staff, and overcrowding mean children receive insufficient care.
Impact: Malnutrition, stunted growth, untreated medical conditions, and poor hygiene can have long-term physical and psychological effects.
Reference: Whetten, K., et al. (2009). A comparison of the wellbeing of children orphaned by AIDS and other children in orphanages and foster care in Africa. AIDS Care.

3. Lack of Community Understanding and Engagement

Problem: Orphanages often operate in isolation from the local community, and societal stigmas surrounding orphaned children further alienate them.
Cause: Cultural misconceptions about orphanages or orphaned children contribute to a lack of support and integration.
Impact: Children may grow up feeling excluded and disconnected from society, reducing their chances of successful reintegration into community life as adults.
Reference: Csáky, C. (2009). Keeping children out of harmful institutions: Why we should be investing in family-based care. Save the Children.

4. Developmental Delays

Problem: Children in orphanages frequently experience cognitive, emotional, and physical developmental delays due to lack of stimulation and individualised care.
Cause: Limited opportunities for play, education, and social interaction in orphanages prevent proper cognitive and motor development.
Impact: Children lag behind their peers in language acquisition, motor skills, academic progress, and emotional regulation.
Reference: Nelson, C. A., et al. (2007). Cognitive recovery in socially deprived young children: The Bucharest Early Intervention Project. Science.

5. Mental Health Problems

Problem: Institutionalised children are at high risk for mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and emotional dysregulation.
Cause: Experiences of neglect, abuse, or abandonment, combined with lack of emotional support, contribute to poor mental health.
Impact: Children may develop long-term psychiatric disorders, affecting their quality of life and ability to function.
Reference: Browne, K. (2009). The risk of harm to young children in institutional care. Save the Children.

6. Abuse and Neglect

Problem: Children in orphanages are vulnerable to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.
Cause: Poor oversight, lack of background checks for caregivers, and systemic issues in orphanages allow for exploitation and mistreatment.
Impact: Abuse can cause severe physical harm, trauma, and lifelong psychological damage.
Reference: Pinheiro, P. S. (2006). World report on violence against children. United Nations.

7. Risk of Exposure to Paedophiles

Problem: Orphanages often attract individuals who exploit vulnerable children, including paedophiles posing as volunteers or donors. We have also witnessed paedophiles running and working in orphanages.
Cause: Insufficient background checks, lack of supervision, and poor institutional safeguards enable exploitation.
Impact: Sexual abuse causes lasting trauma, shame, and mental health disorders. It also contributes to cycles of exploitation and vulnerability in adulthood.
Reference: ECPAT International (2019). Protecting children in orphanages and residential care from sexual exploitation.

Summary

Children in orphanages face multiple interconnected issues—attachment difficulties, neglect, developmental delays, mental health problems, and risks of exploitation—all exacerbated by systemic underfunding, societal isolation, and poor caregiving structures. A growing body of research advocates for transitioning away from institutionalised care toward family care to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

What are the alternatives to orphanages?

Children who cannot live with their parents due to abuse, displacement, death of a parent, OF COURSE, need care and protection, but this care should always be provided within a family, not in a long-term orphanage setting. Imagine suffering immeasurable pain and suffering in your family and community, only to be placed into a setting which is known to harm children. It is exposing children to multiple traumas, abuse, loss and disconnection from family and society.

It has been demonstrated, across the world, that there are better options to orphanages where children and families are supported to remain together by addressing underlying reasons why families are separated. When there are disasters, displacement and when children cannot remain with their parents (due to abuse, neglect or the loss of a parent), there are MANY options to care for children, including extended families (kinship care), fit persons care (responsible and loving community member looks after the child) or alternative safe families (foster family or Kafalah - the Muslim practice of caring for children).

Orphanages should never be an option.

What about adoption?

While it is the goal of the movement to see all children thriving in families, we have also witnessed the harm done by adoption, in particular 'inter-country' adoption.

Inter-country adoption diverts attention and resources away from strengthening family care systems (e.g., kinship care, foster care, and family reunification programs) within a child's home country. Governments may prioritize international adoption over investing in sustainable solutions that keep children within their cultural and familial contexts.
The demand for adoptable children can drive the proliferation of orphanages, which often house children who are placed there due to poverty or temporary family crises. This perpetuates reliance on institutional care rather than addressing root causes like poverty, lack of social services, and family support.
Weak oversight in inter-country adoption systems leads to child trafficking, corruption, and unethical practices such as coercion of birth families or falsification of documents.
Financial incentives from adoption fees encourage orphanages to actively seek children for adoption rather than support family reunification.
Children adopted internationally lose connection to their language, culture, and heritage, which can lead to identity struggles and feelings of displacement as they grow up.
The focus on placing children abroad disregards their right to grow up in their native communities and environments.
Inter-country adoption does not solve systemic issues such as poverty, lack of education, or inadequate social welfare systems, which are primary drivers of child separation.
Investing in community-based solutions is more effective in addressing the root causes of child vulnerability.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) emphasises that children have the right to grow up in a family environment within their own country wherever possible.
Inter-country adoption prioritises removing children from their home countries rather than ensuring they remain with extended families or in culturally appropriate care.

Inter-country adoption, while often well-intentioned, perpetuates the cycle of institutionalisation, risks exploitation, and hinders meaningful care reform by diverting resources from sustainable, community-based solutions. Prioritising family preservation, local foster care systems, and social welfare reform is key to protecting vulnerable children and supporting their right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment within their own culture and community.

I/we support an orphanage, what should I/we do?

Get Informed About the Problems with Orphanages

Educate yourself and your church community on why institutional care is harmful to children, emphasising issues such as attachment disorders, developmental delays, and risks of exploitation.
Use credible resources such as UNICEF, Better Care Network (BCN), Save the Children, Hope and Homes for Children, Lumos, and reports from organizations working in care reform (links provided in the 'Resources' section).

Open Dialogue with Necessary Stakeholders

Engage in conversations with orphanage staff, donors, church leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the harm caused by orphanages and the benefits of family care.
Share data, stories, and research to foster understanding and agreement on transitioning away from institutional care.

Examine Local Laws and Policies

Familiarize yourself with the laws and child protection policies in the country where the orphanage operates. Some countries may already have policies promoting family-based care or phasing out residential care.
Work within legal frameworks to ensure any transition aligns with national guidelines.

Use Resources Available on the Better Care Network (BCN)

The BCN provides valuable tools, research, and transition guidelines for moving from institutional care to family-based solutions.
Explore case studies, reports, and frameworks that can guide you and the orphanage through the transition process.

Encourage Transition Away from Residential Care

Support orphanage owners and stakeholders to move towards family care. Transition guidelines, like those available through BCN, provide clear steps to safely reintegrate children into families or community settings.
Recognise that transitions take time, planning, and support to ensure children’s safety and well-being.

Link with Local Organizations Working on Care Reform

Partner with organisations that specialise in family reunification, community-based care, and child welfare reform. These organisations can help with:
- Reintegrating children into families.
- Providing support to families to prevent child separation.
- Strengthening local social services to care for vulnerable children.
- Transition orphanages to provide non-residential care services.

Redirect Funds Towards Family and Community-Based Solutions

Instead of funding orphanages, direct financial support toward programs that:
- Facilitate family reunification and reintegration.
- Provide economic and social support to vulnerable families.
- Develop foster care systems and community services that keep children in family environments.

Change the Church’s Mission Strategy

Churches can realign their mission strategies to prioritise family care and community support rather than supporting orphanages. Examples include:
- Supporting family strengthening programs.
- Promoting education, health, care, and economic initiatives that prevent child separation.
- Partnering with care reform organisations to ensure ethical and effective support.

Promote the Jesus Hates Orphanages Campaign

Raise awareness in your church and community by promoting campaigns like Jesus Hates Orphanages, which emphasises the biblical call to support children through family- and community- care rather than institutionalisation.
Use the campaign to inspire others to learn, reflect, and take action.

Summary

By becoming informed, engaging in dialogue, and redirecting support toward family and community solutions, churches and individuals can play a critical role in care reform. Transitioning away from orphanages to community-driven and family-focused care ensures children grow up in environments where they can thrive emotionally, physically, and socially - as God intended.

Ending institutional care for children