Don’t put children at risk, put them in families

IT was tragic to see that Irish missionaries have exported a culture of child abuse across Africa (RTÉ Prime Time documentary Mission to Prey) but it should come as no surprise.

I am extremely concerned that the orphanage model is still being promoted in developing countries by some Irish charities when it has had such disastrous consequences for children in Ireland. In developing countries there are little or no child protection laws or safeguards.

Even the best orphanage cannot replace the individual love and care that children need from a family environment.