not in institutions like orphanages or children's homes
It takes a village to raise a child
Millions of children in developing countries are not able to live at home, temporarily or long-term. Sometimes because their parents have passed away or because the problems at home are just too big. Other times because they have run away or are separated from their families by wars, disasters or child traffickers.
Often these children grow up in institutional care, (such as orphanages, children's homes, rescue centres), but could live with a family given the right support.
We raise awareness about the importance of every child growing up in a safe and loving family and how to prevent unnecessary separation. We also train the staff of institutions on how to reintegrate children back into a family and support them throughout the process.
We adopted our name, It Takes a Village Foundation, from the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This emphasizes the importance of community involvement and support in the upbringing of children.
It is not just the responsibility of parents or immediate family members to nurture and care for children. The entire community should play a role in their development and well-being—from parents to teachers to neighbors and grandparents.
Children thrive better in safe and loving families and communities, rather than in institutions such as orphanages, children's homes, large disability centers, and even boarding schools.
It is not enough to be well intentioned, we need to be well informed
4 pillars
To substantiate our argument that children thrive better and belong in safe and loving families, we use the four pillars/cornerstones of a house as a metaphor:
1. Culture
2. Research
3. Law & Guidelines
4. Theology
Read more about each of the pillars below
Pillar 1
In most countries, orphanages or other forms of institutional care are not part of the original culture. Family is.
However, this family safety net system has been weakened by the arrival of orphanages. While they undoubtedly saved many lives in crisis situations, they are no longer a suitable model.
Pillar 2
More than 80% of all children growing up in institutions like orphanages have at least one living parent or other family members who could care for them with the right support.
In addition, over 80 years of research has shown the negative effects of institutional care on children's growth and development.
Pillar 3
Growing up with parents is a child’s right, as stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by 196 countries.
Article 9 of the Convention asserts that States Parties must ensure that a child is not separated from his or her parents against their will.
Pillar 4
In every religion, the family is considered the cornerstone of society, and children are seen as belonging in families.
For example, the Bible explicitly states, "God sets the lonely in families" (Psalm 68:8). Similarly, the Quran describes the family as the cornerstone of society.
READ THIS BEFORE DOING GOOD
The fate of vulnerable children without a home is a concern for many people. And that is a good thing.
Some start projects, volunteer with children or support an orphanage. If you are one of them, then the booklet 'Children without a ‘home’ is for you. Our chairman wrote the foreword.
What is important to consider when you want to volunteer in a children’s home? What is the best way to help children without a safe home? What do you need to know about orphanages in developing countries? Why is care in families usually better than care in a children’s home? These questions are answered in short chapters with real-life examples.
The basic principle is that every child has a right to grow up in a loving family. Help should focus primarily on support for families and lastly on care in children’s homes.
Children without a ‘home’ is published by Better Care Network Netherlands. It contains scientific insights and practical examples.
Click on the images to download them for FREE.
children
belong
in
FAMILIES
What we do
Consultancy
We provide guidance and capacity building for organizations and governments looking to transition from institutional care to family-based care, as well as set up community services and strengthen families.
Are you running an institution, or are you a donor or volunteer for one? Contact us, and let’s bring them home.
Advocacy
We advocate for the right of every child to grow up in a safe and loving family.
We use stories, insights, and compelling presentations to raise awareness of the importance of family-based care for children. By highlighting the harm caused by orphanage tourism, we advocate for urgent reforms in care systems.
Contact us to join the movement for change!
Bringing children HOME
It is our dream that all children grow up in a safe and loving family. And it takes a village to make that dream a reality.
We want this to become the reality for all children who are unnecessarily growing up in institutions.
Are you running an institution, or are you a donor or volunteer for one? Contact us, and let’s bring them home.
Dutch NGO pledge 'Every Child A Family'
We initiated the pledge #EveryChildAFamily, where several Dutch private initiatives declare that a family is the place for a child to grow up. We call on other NGOs, companies, churches, and schools to invest in family-oriented care. Children deserve a family home, not an orphanage.
So far, 73 private initiatives have signed the pledge.
Let's bring them home
where they belong
Our team
Monique Derrez
Founder & Chairperson
For many years Monique was a volunteer and donor of several orphanages until she learned that most of these children have families. That is when she became an advocate that children belong in families and not in institutions.
Yvonne Vaes-Lucas
Secretary
Yvonne worked in primary education for more than 45 years. First as a teacher, later as a director. Her passion is giving children the tools to develop in the most balanced way possible, to discover their talents and to guide them to adulthood.
Nini Bos
Treasurer
Nini is head of department at a municipality. In her free time she is an active member of many social projects to bring people together to profit from each other’s talents. Because it takes a village, not only to raise a child but each other.
NEWS
August 13, 2024
Presentation
Probus Prómina
Our chairmen Monique gave a presentation to the members of Probus Prómina Weert.
August 10, 2024
2 years home
and thriving
Update about the boy who we reintegrated back into the loving care of his parents in June 2022. His father keeps us updated with messages and pictures.
June 25, 2024
Article in
Lions Magazine NL
Our chairman Monique gave a presentation to members and their partner of the Lions Club Weert.
February 27, 2024
Presentation
Lions Weert
On request our chairman gave a presentation to members of the Lions Weert and their partners.
September 9, 2023
Presentations
in Nepal
When our chairperson went to Nepal to attent Bicon 2023, a conference on alternative care in Asia, she was asked to a training and a presentation.
June 9, 2022
Stakeholders Meeting Tanzania
100 participants from different organisations attended the meeting/workshop Watoto Kwanza, Swahili for 'Children First'.