Volunteers Needed. The dangers of Voluntourism and Orphanage Trafficking with Barak Laub

2025-06-29

On this episode Bryn talks to film maker and campaigner Barak Laub about his documentary Volunteers Needed and the discovery he made when travelling Nepal. Approximately 80% of children in orphanages have at least one living parent, so why, in some parts of the world, are orphan numbers dropping whilst orphanages are increasing in number? Is it possible that well-meaning travellers looking to volunteer in an orphanage are actually part of the problem? Find our more about Barak and his campaign at: ...

On this episode Bryn talks to film maker and campaigner Barak Laub about his documentary Volunteers Needed and the discovery he made when travelling Nepal.

Approximately 80% of children in orphanages have at least one living parent, so why, in some parts of the world, are orphan numbers dropping whilst orphanages are increasing in number?

Is it possible that well-meaning travellers looking to volunteer in an orphanage are actually part of the problem?

Find our more about Barak and his campaign at: https://www.volunteersneededthefilm.com/

This podcast was produced by Blue Bear Coffee Co. and narrated by Bryn Frere-Smith. Follow us at: @bluebearcoffeeco @brynfreresmith

Books referred to in the Pod:

The Jungle - Upton Sinclair

Bad Aid - Dambisa Moyo

Where Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert

Theme tune, Spotless Rose by Matt Tinsley

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