Where can I get serious information on how to start an orphenage?

Question

The more I think about it, the more I think taking care of orphans is what I want to do with my life. I've been doing some research but I haven't found anything really helpful yet. Is there an NGO that can help me? or a church maybe? Has anyone here worked in an orphenage before and knows how I could start one?

Answer 1

I know of at least three organizations that do work in orphanages in China (sorry, I don't know any in Africa, but I'm sure there are many!)

Here are the three I know of:

Half the Sky - find info on Half the Sky at http://www.halfthesky.org/

Altusa - find info on Altusa at http://www.altrusa.ws/

The Peony Project - find info on The Peony Project at http://peonyproject.net/whatsnew.html

Good luck!

Answer 2

That's just nutty - First of all, it's orphanage.  Second of all, there really aren't orphanages around anymore - bascially, for the last 25 years or so, children are placed in foster homes.

Answer 3

Believe me sweetie, I know how romantic and heroic that all sounds but it is not as easy life, it is not as easy decision. Have you ever seen a starving or abused child. Things like that give you nightmares.Most days are horrible and you cry a lot.  It's bittersweet..loving children who can never be yours or handing them over never to be seen again. Before you even consider starting one In suggest you work in one for more than just a week. I work in both the childrens's hospital and a few Orphanages here in Romania, I am also the chairman of a foundation here that works on keeping families intact. I suggest you think hard on this and if you really feel that this is your calling feel free to email. My email is open in YA and I will help you in any way I can. Perhaps you can even arange to spend some time working here yourself otherwise you will never be equipped to start one for youself. Not to mention the bussiness aspect of it and funding as well. Good Luck my email is always open to those wanting to make a difference.

Jennifer

Answer 4

You can probably find a non-profit organization that allows volunteers to gain useful experience in exchange for hard work. That would be a great way of finding out if this is the vocation for you.

Answer 5

Pretty much you can't start an orphanage unless you are part of an approved group.  I would suggest contacting care workers in those areas and finding out what you can do to gain experience.

Answer 6

One option might be to a be professional foster home.  Most states pay between $500 - $800 a month for each child you foster, as well as provide medicaide, WIC, and other services for the kids.  Also, this is also untaxed, unless you have more than 8 kids in your home.  So, it is certainly possible if you are careful about money (remember that you wouldn't have health insurance).

Some things to consider:

- You will have to constantly deal with the licensing and other requirements mandated by the state agencies.  This includes maintaining your training and getting regular inspections.

- You will likely get kids with behavioral problems.  Including severe sexual and violence problems.  I have known several cases when such kids will abuse other kids in the home if given any chance.  You cannot watch them all all of the time.  And, demanding kids will suck up your time and energy for the other kids.

- You will have to constantly deal with their caseworkers, birth families, guardians, attorneys, and more.  You will have tons of paper work and bookkeeping.

- Many of these kids may have medical problems.  You will have to find and shuttle these kids to doctors.  One of our adopted sons had a full 3-ring binder of medical reports by the time he was 11 months old.

- What happens if you need to take a trip somewhere?  Such as if a friend is getting married, funeral, etc.  Or, if you get sick?

Answer 7

Why don't you start small and then build up. You need to get classes and all. Here in CA a good friend of mine just retired from taking care of drug babies. Meaning she would have 2-3 babies that were from drug homes or born with major drugs in the homes. She even took care of babies who was born with cancer and other things. Her husband and her started about 40 years ago by going through her local adoption agency. They had lots of information on different types of fostering children, infact I went in with her and talked to another worker and she told me there is 7 different programs that one could foster for. So thats where I would start. And bless you for you have a heart of gold.