Aid body warns against school visits to overseas orphanages 

Comhlámh called for guidelines for school trips not to visit orphanages. Picture: File

Schools should not visit or volunteer with orphanages overseas as doing so can inadvertently help to sustain a “harmful” system that puts children at risk of abuse and exploitation.

Irish aid organisation Comhlámh, which is working to promote responsible volunteering, has called on the Department of Education to develop child-safe guidelines for school trips, including guidance not to visit orphanages.