Uganda Care Leavers Statement regarding the Britain’s Got Talent last weekend
The Uganda Care Leavers/Association of Care Leavers Uganda was set up by and to provide support and advocacy for children and young adults who have spent part or all of their lives in residential care.
As young people and adults that grew up in orphanages in Uganda, we would like to make a statement regarding the appearance of Ugandan children from the organisation 'Ghetto Kids' on Britain's Got Talent over the weekend. While we appreciate that some may see the opportunity for these talented children to showcase their skills on an international platform, we cannot endorse the institutionalisation of children.
Drawing on our personal experiences, we are aware of the detrimental impact that institutional care can have on children. Although Ghetto Kids provides support to many children within communities, we do not endorse the organisation's model of housing 30 children together in a designated 'house.' As defined by the Ugandan Children's Act, this type of care constitutes an institution. We firmly disagree with this model of care for children.
Children's homes and orphanages in Uganda are established with good intentions to provide vulnerable children with food, shelter, education, and protection. However, research has shown that institutional care can negatively affect children's development, leading to emotional and behavioural issues, attachment difficulties, and challenges in transitioning to independent adulthood. Moreover, up to 80% of children in Ugandan orphanages are not orphans, indicating that institutionalisation is often unnecessary when families receive the right support and resources to care for their children.
This extensive research has prompted numerous organisations in Uganda and in other countries to tackle the underlying reasons for family separation. However, we are apprehensive that promoting and endorsing 'Ghetto Kids' and their institutional care approach could jeopardise the significant strides made towards ending institutional care both in Uganda and globally. It is imperative to emphasise that children in Uganda, including those from 'Ghetto Kids,' should be able to showcase their talents without sacrificing their family and community ties.
It is not our intention to criticise or vilify 'Ghetto Kids' as we recognize their good intentions. However, it is crucial to remain cognizant of the long-term and far-reaching harm caused by the unnecessary institutional care model. Uganda's government has committed to prioritising family care and limiting institutionalisation through legislation. We are very concerned that these efforts in Uganda, and around the world, will be undone and undermined by ITV’s BGT. We call on everyone to support initiatives aimed at ending institutional care and promoting family care for all children.
We are proud to have the support of our partners, including Child's i Foundation and Hope and Homes for Children, who share our commitment to promoting family care for children. Our stance is underpinned by the Ugandan Children Act, the African Charter on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.
More information: https://observer.ug/viewpoint/65856-children-need-family-environment-not-childcare-homes