Why we need to end the era of orphanages | Tara Winkler

Could it be wrong to help children in need by starting an orphanage? In this eye-opening talk about the bad consequences of good intentions, Tara Winkler speaks out against the spread of orphanages in developing countries, caused in part by foreign donors, and details the harm done to children when they are separated from their families and left to grow up in institutions.

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[Ms.Simone]

I looked up how to open a orphanage and came across this video. My mind is absolutely blown in a good way. Since I was young I said I wanted to have multiple orphanages to help the children of the world who had no parents. So to hear that the majority of orphanages are just children’s residential institutions is what I needed to hear but also heartbreaking for me. You’re making me look deeper at the root cause of the problem and so now my mind is on how do we help these families stay together so they don’t have to feel like they have to give away their children?

[spiritcalling]

The world is not over populated, we're just really bad at managing what we've been given.

[waffles]

Wow... I came in with a closed mined and left mind blown.. congrats on the success!!

[PonteServiziExportElenaNabot]

One, single, committed person can really change the life of others for the best. God speed Tara, thank you

[nhff]

This is a great speech and I understand what's being said, but the unfortunate reality is that for most developing countries foster care is not viable. When I was growing up I was unable to be with my own family because of abuse and neglect and youth homes kept me off the streets 90% of the time. When I didn't have a roof over my head I almost died from hypothermia.

In a perfect world there would be no need for orphanages, but then again there would be no need for foster care either. Also, those "orphanages" that commit terrible crimes, as mentioned in the speech, are not orphanages. They are criminal enterprises and should be viewed as such.

[MynicknameisViolet]

I was going to be taken to an orphanage when I was five(I have parents, but the whole thing is complicated) literally a day after I was adopted into a family.
I was so close to living that life, but I’m lucky that a family came along and adopted me.

[wahyudiwahyudi]

I'm the one victim from corrupt orphanage from Indonesian. Also victim from ilegal adoption that become labor a.k.a slave for my adopt parents. And my life was devastated. I was tried to end my life one day. But now I tried to survive to spread messagge.

[jinxxx]

This is an excellent Ted Talk! I'm an orphan who lived in an orphanage, and I agree.

[jkbamfo]

Brilliant speech. This is so true. Grew up in an orphanage and most of the people I grew up with in the home either had one parent dead or had both parents alive but couldn’t take care of them. Some of them too along the way were taken out of the home by their extended family. Some I have never seen or heard from again since they left the home.

[leeshiadenhartigh]

I came to TED looking for a speech for a project, my mind did not think I could find something this good, such a powerful message many people don't ever even think about. I love it!

[jmmeKngs]

Having grown up in a children's home i can say i agree with her fully!

[kheseangleng]

I am a Cambodian. I see sth very new and inspiring. It's "home better than orphanage". Children need a family not an orphanage!

[resilientlearning]

You are absolutely on-point. I lived through different institutions for most of my childhood and this Tedtalk was something that I resonate with. All the best to you. Viva - family! Paul Charles

[ranjitjacobgeorgejgj]

What's the proposal for the children who have really no parents or relatives? Where will they be taken care? pl clarify.

[spiritcalling]

Give more incentives for families in these developing countries like food, housing and jobs to help support their children. Like other euro/ american countries. The only reason the children are in orphanages is because the parents or parent felt like they couldn't support the child that they would be better cared for somewhere else. Give foodstamps, lower income housing and steady cash income. It's easy really.

[marlaharmon]

I couldn't help but notice that she mentions the name of the children's trust. She gave a powerful and thought provoking presentation, but in the end, I couldn't help but wonder if it was a sales presentation for the new children's trust model that she created. The foster care system is far from perfect.

[AliKhan-npnq]

The family-based model is better for western countries for sure. But the countries which are under poverty, the numbers are too big that impossible to get this many foster homes. I have been donating to orphanages for many years. there are plenty of them doing wonderful job. If we have a headache, we don't cut down the head. But Surely You have raised some very important points here. Regards

[diamondcover]

Tara Winkler you are a blessing to this world!! God bless you :)

[selle.]

Wooow, this tedtalk deserves more views. totally changed my mind.

[frankie]

Amazing. You're doing Australia so proud.