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Q . Are IOC Orphan Centers traditional orphanages?
Q . Are IOC Orphan Centers traditional orphanages? IOC does not represent traditional orphanages. IOC offers daytime educational programs, skill training, medical care, adult guidance and nutrition, and foster family care assistance. Many of the perceptions reflect what has occurred at traditional orphanages, or what is occurring in countries with vastly different circumstances. Q . Do families in economically depressed countries sometimes use orphanages as an economic coping strategy and a way to secure for their children access to services or better material conditions? IOC exists to help children. If a child, who has lost one or both parents, is left with the option of going without food, education, healthcare or guidance, then IOC is an excellent alternative. Children can find a nurturing environment, education, job skills, and medical care. It does not replace family, and children do not actually sleep at the Centers. As able family members or foster families are found, IOC assists them. If IOC helps a family out of the downward spiral of economic and psychological affects of war and another child is not lost then the mission is met. Q . Don't some child development specialists say that institutional care generally fails to meet many of children's developmental needs, such as those for attachment, social integration, and acculturation? For many Afghan children, the entire social structure of their world has been stripped away. Homes, community gathering places, elder relatives for guidance, and neighbors for friendship, almost all has been taken by an extremely brutal and lengthy war. When these familiar institutions and touchstones are gone, children can be greatly reassured by the structured, home-like environment and friendship of IOC orphan centers. For many, there is no other place for them to go but the streets; many other institutions simply do not exist at this point. Where before they may have been frightened to play in their neighborhood, they have a safe place to play and learn at IOC Centers. Social integration occurs through the classroom environment, recreational and playtime activities, and job skill training. Self-esteem is developed through knowledge and self-sufficiency. Acculturation develops when someone teaches children sensitively about his or her own country, culture and religion. Development occurs with the opportunity of watching and mirroring respected teachers and adults. These children cannot wait for other institutions that may take months or longer to be put in place: they need care today before they are lost. Q . How does IOC address other needs, beyond the physical and educational needs of children? IOC programs are structured for the whole child. Instructors and adults in guidance positions learn about each child and respond to their needs. In addition to educational programs sensitive to the Afghan culture, there is time to play and use their imaginations. The developing foster family program further addresses the more personal nurturing required for healthy child development. Q . There is no substitute for care of the child within his/her family of origin. Shouldn't the effort be on keeping children in families? We agree. Keeping children with their own families is the ideal situation. But when the family of origin is gone, or they are economically unable to care for a child due to the loss of one or both parents, or unable physically to care for a child, the child needs assistance. For many children in Afghanistan, living with the family of one.s origin is a simple expectation that has been taken away. Q . Hasn't institutional care largely been abandoned in the developed countries? Successful examples of institutional childcare do exist in developed countries. Although there is an increase in programs for child placement and foster family care, there are abundant problems in that system as well (review regular headlines regarding children lost, unmonitored or abused through social services placements). No system is perfect. With no social services system in place in Afghanistan, group settings like IOC Orphan Centers are a necessity. Q . Shouldn't placement in residential institutions be reserved as a last resort for the care of vulnerable children? Yes. Most of the world agrees that Afghanistan is in a "last resort" situation. After all, 23 years of war has devastated the country, families and government resources. All measures and actions to assist children are required. Q . Is it true institutions in the developing world often serve more as an economic coping mechanism for very poor families than as a child protection measure for children without other options? Orphan Centers may serve as both economic coping mechanisms and child protection mechanisms; however, IOC administrators and educators evaluate children and their situations continuously. Help is offered where it is needed. When all resources are gone from a family and one or more parents are lost, orphaned children are extremely vulnerable. Children from economically poor environments also are extremely vulnerable. In either case, economic coping is a necessity and child protection is a necessity. Q . Aren't there studies that show institutional care more expensive than individual home care? The available case studies involve other countries and children with HIV/AIDS, and may have no bearing on the situation in Afghanistan. Also, as IOC does not board children (and is establishing foster care programs) there also may no valid comparison. However, it can be assumed that as more resources, assistance and social structure are established, other kinds of child support programs can be put in place. The immediate need requires immediate action, available from orphan centers. Economies of scale and the availability of educated adult oversight are other important factors offered at orphan centers. Q . Is an institutional setting the only alternative in situations where care within a child's extended family is not a good option? What about involving leaders and community residents in establishing one or more small group homes within children's own communities? In essence, IOC offers this, since IOC Orphan Centers are not traditional orphanages. Since many Afghan neighborhoods have been impacted by the destruction of war, a number of smaller institutions may not be possible in the immediate future. However, organizations like IOC offer the family group environment, with foster family care, adult mentoring and guidance. Q . I have heard institutions have opportunities for mismanagement and even abuse. No one is immune. Whether it is an institution or an individual home environment, there are opportunities for abuse (and this occurs in any country in the world). IOC's international board of directors and advisory board do not tolerate abusive behavior or mismanagement. IOC facilities, practices and activities are open for review, which we welcome. |
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