Executive Director Message - November 2025

Executive Director Message — November 2025
Social Responsibility in Orphanage Care

At OSSO, our mission has always been centered on one core commitment: ensuring that children deprived of parental care are safe, supported, and loved. As we expand our impact, it is more important than ever that we uphold the highest standards of social responsibility in everything we do.

In recent years, global child-welfare experts have raised serious concerns about what is often called “orphanage tourism”—or, unregulated visits from volunteers that can unintentionally harm children and weaken local care systems. Even more troubling is “orphanage trafficking,” where vulnerable children are exploited to attract donations or volunteer involvement. These practices are real, and they threaten the very children the world is trying to help.

OSSO stands firmly against anything that compromises a child’s protection, security, or dignity.

That’s why we have taken intentional steps to operate as a Socially Responsible Organization (SRO):

• We only work in countries with government-regulated orphanage care, including Ecuador and Mexico.

• Volunteers are carefully vetted, background-checked, trained, and serve to support—not replace—local caregivers who provide long-term stability for the children.

• Donations are managed transparently through our organization and distributed responsibly in partnership with orphanage directors to ensure funds always benefit the children’s real needs.

Our commitment is simple: every program, every dollar, and every volunteer experience must strengthen—not disrupt—the systems that keep children safe.

I’m reminded of a recent visit to one of our partner orphanages in Ecuador. I arrived around 8 p.m. to help with evening care—bottles, diaper changes, and getting the babies into pajamas. The caregiver on duty was responsible for six infants all by herself, and I could immediately see the relief on her face when volunteers walked in to help. Because we were there, each baby received gentle one-on-one attention—rocked, fed, and comforted individually instead of rushed through the routine.

That kind of support isn’t a one-time need; it’s every night, every day of the year.

As we move forward, we will continue listening, learning, and leading with best practices that place children first. Thank you for being part of a community that believes in responsible, ethical, and heartfelt service.

This month, we invite you to join us for GivingTuesday. Your generosity directly supports the children in our partner orphanages and strengthens the responsible care systems that protect them. Every gift, large or small, helps ensure that no child is forgotten.

Sincerely,

Jerrod

JERROD GUDDAT
OSSO Executive Director
801-214-8849 call or text
ossocares.org