RantCrush Top 5: August 22, 2016

JK Rowling is wonderful. She recently spoke out “voluntourism,” when a charity asked her to retweet its appeal for donations. JK Rowling’s own charity, Lumos, is strictly against this form of philanthropy, no matter how good-willed it is.

In a series of concise tweets, Rowling explains why:

…this one offering volunteer ‘experiences’ in an orphanage in an extremely poor country. @Lumos does not support #voluntourism.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 21, 2016

#Voluntourism is one of drivers of family break up in very poor countries. It incentivises ‘orphanages’ that are run as businesses.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 21, 2016

One of the advantages listed for your orphanage volunteer experience is that it will give you a CV ‘distinguisher’. #voluntourism

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 21, 2016

Globally, poverty is the no. 1 reason that children are institutionalised. Well-intentioned Westerners supporting orphanages…

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 21, 2016

… perpetuates this highly damaging system and encourages the creation of more institutions as money magnets. #voluntourism

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 21, 2016

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