THINK: Children Are Not Tourist Attractions
When you travel you might be offered visits to an orphanage, slum or dumpsite
Around the world, the popularity of poverty tours including orphanages, slums or even dumpsites is increasing. These types of tours exploit children and their families for the financial gain of the organizers and can lead to further exploitation. Here are some reasons why:
- By visiting and photographing children and families in these situationsyou are reinforcing their feelings of inequality and detachment from society;
- Often poor living conditions are maintained to get sympathy and lure more money from tourists;
- Children can be at risk of abuse as visitors come into their home environment with minimal supervision by tour agency staff;
- By providing free clothes and food at dump sites, you will encourage more families and children to live in these surroundings. This may be taking the children away from a safer living environment elsewhere, and away from school.
For options to support children and their families, click here.
Learn more about the situation in Cambodia
- Three things you should know about orphanages in Cambodia
- Myths and realities
- Inter-country adoption: Cambodian case
- Press articles
Learn more about the situation internationally
- Alternative Care for Children, Uganda
- Questions and answers
- Friends-International's position on inter-country adoption
To learn more about Orphanage Tourism, please click the below image:
