In a study by Brigitte Zimmerman entitled "Orphan Living Situations in Malawi: A Comparison of Orphanages and Foster Homes," a community member is quoted as saying:
"We appreciate the outsiders taking care of our children, but of course, we always know that it is because they have so much money. They drive around in their Land Rovers and we just think, ‘Of course, if I had that much money, I could help my own children.’ If we could choose between having outsiders solve the problem with their money, and finding a way to get our own money and do it ourselves, I think most of us would rather perform the services ourselves (Zimmerman, 911)."
Any program that draws orphans away from extended families instead of strengthening those families is doing more harm than good.
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