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Copy one of the letters below and send it to your representative. Find your representative with the link from Common Cause. If at anytime you want our help feel free to reach out to us.
Letter to US Representative.
Dear Representative [Last Name],
I'm writing today because of an often unknown issue which, while often supported with the best intentions, is harming millions of children around the world: orphanage voluntourism and it’s direct link to child trafficking. This issue is both heartbreaking and urgent, and I hope you’ll agree it’s time we do something about it.
Across the globe, children are being trafficked into (and out of) orphanages, not because they are orphans, but because there is money to be made. It’s estimated that four out of five children living in orphanages today have at least one living parent and a family to go home to. Families are often misled to believe their child will receive a better life or education, only for the child to be placed in an institution that’s driven by donations and volunteer attention rather than genuine care. Often this is only a transit point to further trafficking and harms for the children.
Unfortunately, this system thrives on the good intentions and ignorance of well-meaning people. And the United States is one of the biggest contributors. Americans send millions of dollars in donations, and tens of thousands of volunteers abroad every year. Unaware that their support is fueling a harmful cycle. A study by Faith in Action found that at least 34 million Americans have donated to orphanages and 4 million have gone on orphan trips, many of them through church or school groups.
This isn’t just ineffective it’s dangerous. Children who grow up in institutions are at significantly higher risk of abuse, exploitation, and long-term psychological harm. They are often denied the chance to grow up in families or communities and instead become commodities in a system that profits from their separation.
We have the opportunity, and the responsibility to act. That’s why I’m asking you to support legislation that brings oversight, transparency, and accountability to the way we engage with vulnerable children abroad.
Specifically, I urge you to champion policies that would:
1. Require all U.S.-based volunteers working with children abroad to undergo background checks and receive basic training — including on child safeguarding, trafficking awareness, and cultural sensitivity. Organizations that facilitate these trips should be responsible to ensure they are not pairing children with predators!
2. Mandate that organizations placing Americans with vulnerable children overseas conduct annual audits of the places they are funding, to ensure no trafficking is occurring and that each program includes a meaningful family reintegration plan.
3. Ensure any organization or website that profits by advertising volunteer placements with vulnerable children includes a clear public disclaimer about the risks of orphanage tourism and the importance of ethical volunteering.
Additionally, I hope you’ll consider pushing to have orphanage trafficking formally recognized as a form of modern slavery and as a “severe form of trafficking in persons” under U.S. law, and included in efforts like the President’s Interagency Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking the National Strategy on Human Trafficking and amending the TVPRA.
Setting a higher standard for how we engage with children overseas is not only morally right, but fully aligned with our country’s long-standing commitment to protecting human rights and combating trafficking.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this important issue. I would be grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Local Representative
Dear [Mayor/Councilmember/City Official] [Last Name],
I'm writing to bring your attention to a deeply troubling and often overlooked global issue that our city can take meaningful steps to address: orphanage voluntourism and its direct link to child trafficking. While often fueled by compassion and good intentions, this system is harming millions of children around the world, unfortunately the United States, and our community, plays a role in sustaining it.
Globally, millions of children are being trafficked into orphanages and residential care not because they benefit, but because there is profit in institutionalizing them. An estimated 80% of children in orphanages today have at least one living parent and a family to return to. These families are often misled into believing their child will receive a better life or education, only for that child to end up in an institution that thrives on donor dollars and short-term volunteer attention, rather than providing real care. Tragically, these institutions are often stepping stones to deeper exploitation.
This system depends on the good intentions of people who want to help. Americans send millions of dollars and tens of thousands of volunteers abroad each year, many through churches, schools, and nonprofits, without realizing their contributions may be driving a harmful cycle. A study by Faith to Action found that 34 million Americans have donated to orphanages and 4 million have volunteered in them.
The consequences are severe. Children raised in institutions face increased risks of abuse, neglect, and long-term developmental trauma. They are often denied the opportunity to grow up in a family and instead become commodities in a system that profits from their separation.
While this may seem like a global or federal issue, our city can play a vital leadership role by raising awareness, educating our community, and encouraging ethical engagement abroad. That’s why I am respectfully requesting that our city take action in the following ways:
Pass a formal proclamation recognizing orphanage trafficking as a form of modern slavery and denouncing orphanage voluntourism. This will affirm our city’s commitment to human rights and child protection. I have an example of proclamations that have been passed in other cities if that could help facilitate the process.
Host a public screening of the documentary Volunteers Needed The Film, a powerful 37-minute film that exposes the harm caused by orphanage voluntourism and challenges viewers to rethink their assumptions. A screening followed by a discussion or Q&A can help educate our residents, faith groups, educators, and students. The director of the film has expressed interest in sharing the film for free to help pass legislation.
Encourage local schools, universities, churches, and nonprofits to develop or adopt ethical travel and volunteering policies including training on child safeguarding, trafficking awareness, and cultural sensitivity for anyone volunteering with children abroad.
Support state and federal legislation that increases oversight of U.S.-based organizations that fund or facilitate orphanage programs, ensuring they implement child protection standards and actively support family reintegration.
Even at the city level, our actions can ripple outward. We can lead by example and join a growing number of municipalities taking a stand for ethical engagement abroad and the rights of children everywhere. I would be honored to discuss these ideas further and to help organize a film screening or provide additional information.
Thank you for considering this important issue. I hope our city can stand at the forefront of efforts to protect children from exploitation and help shift the conversation around how we truly help vulnerable communities around the world.
With gratitude,
[Your Name]