Saturday 8th February 2025 • Promotional Content


What if they could go home?


The Homecoming Project, supported by Martin James Foundation, is working to help children avoid growing up in orphanages


Education & Schooling T e Modern Family 13


PHOTO CREDITS: KISHORSHARMA/HOPE AND HOMES FOR CHILDREN W


hen Tabita* was four and living in Nepal, she was sent to an orphanage


— not because she had no family, but because her parents struggled to aff ord her education and care. “I didn’t want to send her away, but


life was very diffi cult for us,” recalls Tabita’s mum. “We cried the whole night until dawn broke and it was time for her to go. It felt like an explo- sion in my heart.” Tabita’s experience isn’t unique.


It’s estimated that around 5.4 million children live in orphanages globally, and approximately 80% of these chil- dren have at least one living parent with whom they could be reunited if given support. Many children are in orphanages due to poverty, not parental loss. While orphanages seem like a solution, research shows they can do more harm than good. Children raised in institutions are more likely to experience neglect, abuse and lifelong inequalities. Many grow up without the essential love, stability and sense of belonging that only a family can provide.


But there is hope. A growing global


movement is working to ensure that children like Tabita don’t grow up in orphanages. Recently, the UK Foreign Secretary launched a global campaign advocating for family-based care as the preferred alternative to orphan- ages. T is initiative off ers countries an opportunity to share knowledge and reform childcare policies to keep children with their families. Among the most powerful forces


for change are UK churches. Every year, they contribute around £500m to over- seas orphanages. T is generosity refl ects deep compassion and a commitment to helping vulnerable children. However, some churchgoers may be unaware that with support, children can return home to their families or be cared for in family-based alternative care. T e Homecoming Project was


with support from the Martin James Foundation (MJF), Homecoming equips churches and individuals with the knowledge, resources and practical solutions needed to tran- sition their support toward family-based care. MJF is dedicated to


Be a part of the


movement. Learn more, spread the message


and help return children home to families at


homecomingproject.org


ensuring children grow up in safe, loving families, not orphan- ages. “We support organisations rooted in the communi- ties they serve to help families stay together. By strength- ening child protection systems and ensuring chil-


created to help shift the UK church’s care for vulnerable children over- seas. T is coalition of organisations believes that children thrive in fami- lies. Relaunched by Home for Good


dren’s voices are heard, we work to create lasting change by prior- itising family-based care,” says MJF’s Ailsa Laxton. “We’re not asking churches to immediately stop funding


institutions,” says Homecoming’s Tony Lewry. “Instead, we’re encour- aging a gradual transition to fami- ly-based care to ensure no child is left vulnerable during the change.” Tabita’s story illustrates the power


of this approach. After years in an orphanage, Tabita was fi nally reunited with her family. With support from Hope and Homes for Children, her family received counselling, fi nancial aid and education support. Today, Tabita is thriving at home, surrounded by love and stability. Achieving lasting change requires eff ort. When


collective organisations, governments


churches, and


individuals work together, children can grow up in the safety and love of a family. While this transition takes time, every step brings the world closer to a future where every child has the care they need. T e Homecoming Project is supported by Martin James Foundation.


homecomingproject.org martinjames.foundation *NAME CHANGED TO PROTECT PRIVACY.


REGISTERED CHARITY IN ENGLAND AND WALES NO. 1150405 AND REGISTERED CHARITY IN SCOTLAND NO. SC048207. MARTIN JAMES FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1179016


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44