Orphanages To Pay N50,000 Fine For Allowing Visitors Take Pictures With Children

In a bid to stop the stigmatization of orphans as a result of people going to orphanages and taking pictures to share on their social media pages, the coalition of orphanages and children’s homes in Nigeria (COCHIN) has banned its members from allowing people to take pictures with the children during visits to the orphanages.

The move is also believed to be aimed at discouraging the usual practice where people visit orphanages, make donations and take pictures with children to post on social media in a bid to boost their public image.

The coalition gave the warning in a circular dated November 18 and addressed to all orphanage homes registered with them across the country.

According to the group, photos taken by visitors are usually shared online to the “embarrassment and stigmatisation of the children”.

COCHIN warned that any, “picture taken from any of our members orphanage home and posted on social media, the orphanage will be punished by COCHIN with a fine of N50,000”

Prior to the circular, Nigerians have been raising concerns over people visiting or celebrating with children at orphanages and then posting photos they take with the children on social media in order to receive applauds rather than being genuine philanthropists.

The directive would mostly affect celebrities and politicians who often visit theses orphanages to mark their birthdays. They are fond of splashing pictures of their visit to the orphanages on social media.