Martin James Foundation

Today, on the Annual Day on the Rights of the Child, we’re standing up for a simple but vital truth: Children need families, not orphanages. From birth, children form connections that shape their future, giving them security, trust, and the foundations to grow. But for at least 5.4 million children around the world, this essential right has been taken away. Instead of growing up with the love and stability of family life, they are living in orphanages, where no amount of care can replace the bonds of family. This isn’t how it should be. Every child has the right to be safe, loved, and supported. This means making sure families get the support they need to stay together, so that no child is separated because of poverty, disability, or lack of services. And when children can’t remain with their parents, they should grow up in family-based care, not institutions. We firmly believe that: -Policies should strengthen families, not separate them -Support should go to communities, not orphanages -Children’s rights and best interests should guide every decision we make A future where every child grows up in a safe and loving family isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. #RightToFamily #ChildRights #ADRC2025 #FamiliesNotOrphanages #WeAreMJF

We’re excited to share that MJF will be the Guest Editors for the September 2025 Special Issue of?Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond?(ICB), focusing on?Family Strengthening. We invite researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to contribute to this special issue. While we’re particularly keen to highlight perspectives from across Asia, global insights are also welcome. See below for submission guidelines and more details. Feel free to reach out with any questions! Udayan Care Sage India

Today on International Women’s Day, we recognise the women leading change for children and families around the world.? ? Through our global partners and across MJF, women are at the forefront of care reform—strengthening families, shaping policy, and ensuring children grow up with love and security.?? ? They are senior leaders, policymakers, and community organisers. They are foster carers, social workers, and advocates. They are mothers, aunts, and grandmothers, offering the care and connection every child needs.? ? Their leadership and commitment are transforming systems and shaping a future where no child grows up without family.? ? Today, and every day, we honour them.? ? Who are the women whose leadership inspires or challenges you to see the world differently?? ? #IWD #InternationalWomensDay #CareReform #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction? ?

?? You Filled the Gap! Global Effort Supports Foster Care in Cambodia ?? The impact of the US Foreign Aid freeze has been deeply felt across the sector, and at Hagar, we were faced with a critical funding gap for 33 child survivors in our foster care project in Cambodia. But in moments like these, we are reminded of the power of generosity and collective action. ? Thanks to Hagar’s incredible global community of supporters, including the Martin James Foundation (MJF), we have secured the bridge funding needed to continue supporting these 33 children. ? A special thank you to MJF for stepping up and standing with us during this time. Their commitment to vulnerable children and belief in the power of community-based care is truly inspiring. ???? ? This is more than just a funding solution—it’s a testament to what’s possible when we come together to ensure every child grows up in a safe, loving environment. ? #Hagar #ChildProtection #FosterCare #Collaboration #Impact #MartinJamesFoundation ?

We're happy to share this upcoming event from The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action on how parenting interventions can transform lives in humanitarian crises. See below for more info and to register ??

All of us at MJF wish a happy, healthy, and blessed Ramadan to everyone observing. May this holy month bring peace and joy to you and your loved ones. Wishing you a wonderful Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr ahead! #RamadanMubarak #RamadanKareem #HappyRamadan

We're delighted to support Homecoming! Please take a moment to sign up for their 6-week learning journey, launching next week. Details below ??

We at MJF were honoured to support the 1st National Family Summit in New Delhi, India, earlier this month, organised by Miracle Foundation India. The event?brought together?youth champions, government leaders, child protection experts, practitioners, academics, and funders in a shared mission: ensuring every child grows up in a safe, loving and nurturing family environment. Over two inspiring days, the Summit delivered: ?? Insightful discussions where experts shared best practices to keep children within families ?? Critical conversations on family strengthening, alternative care and cross-sector partnerships?that highlighted?the need for collaboration ?? Active participation that underscored the urgency of evidence-based approaches for lasting change We were also delighted that Hugh Salmon, Director of Global Social Service Workforce Alliance, discussed our partnership that captures and amplifies the lived experiences of youth, children, families and caregivers to develop training tools to support strengthening the social service workforce. (Learn more here: https://bit.ly/GSSWA) At the end of the Summit, it was clear that this was more than just an event. It was a call to action, inspiring participants to maintain momentum through stronger multi-sector collaboration, refined evidence-based approaches, and sustained dialogue to ensure every child can grow up in a family, all while keeping family-based care at the heart of child protection. To learn more, visit Miracle Foundation India’s LinkedIn page, where they posted live updates during the Summit:?https://bit.ly/MFIUpdates You can watch this short video that captures key moments from the Summit: https://lnkd.in/dSSJW7KF #NationalFamilySummit2025 #ChildProtection #FamilyBasedCare #India?

This #WorldCareDay25, we honour the achievements, personal strengths, resilience and stories of care experienced young people. In Uganda and beyond, it is a moment for us to reflect on the progress that has been made in care reform while also recognising the existing gaps. As Child's i Foundation, we are working with Association of Care leavers Uganda (ACLU) to amplify voices of care experienced young people and also offering mental health and wellbeing support through 117 trained youth wellbeing champions within the communities. Although we have made strides in care reform, we are still a long way from reaching our vision of one day every child thriving in a safe and loving family. Here is how we can make a difference; ?Care experienced voices should be heard because they hold lived experiences that provide unique insights into care ?Strengthen and implement policies that prioritize family care over institutionalisation ?Invest in family-strengthening initiatives to prevent unnecessary separation ?Foster inclusion and acceptance of care leavers within communities ?Support community led initiatives like foster care to ensure that children are thriving in families rather than institutions. Together, we can make it possible for all children to grow up in a safe and loving family. ?? Click here to get involved>>>>www.childsifoundation.org #WorldCareDay25 #CareDay #CareExperience #CareReform #StrongerWithYou Martin James Foundation Better Care Network UBS Optimus Foundation

"Care-experienced individuals should not only be heard but also actively included in shaping the policies, programmes, and decisions that affect their lives...Nothing for us, without us." A powerful message and call to action from Association of Care leavers Uganda (ACLU) on #CareDay. We encourage you to give this incredible organisation a follow and support their efforts. ??