Global Orphan Outreach: Liberian Bogus Orphanage Exposed

“A 49-year-old American woman has been linked to operating an unlicensed orphanage in Liberia. She is alleged to be using the photographs of sick children at local hospitals and other health centers for personal financial gains.

Madam Donna Barber, who admitted to running ‘Global Orphan Outreach’ from a local hotel since 2007, conceded that her organization has no legal status in Liberia.

Madam Barber said authorities of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare were fully aware of her operation, including sourcing funds from financially potent individuals and institutions from abroad to assist sick children in Liberia by meeting their basic health and other essential needs.

The Global Orphan Outreach, according to sources, has so far received over US$30,000 from overseas individuals who sympathized with sick children in Liberia.

The photographs of the sick children have been posted on a website, www.globalorphanoutreach.org, allegedly owned and operated by the American woman.

It is further alleged that many of the photographs being showcased on the website are of children who are in life-threatening conditions in the country.

Madam Barber confirmed to reporters last Thursday in an interview at a local hotel that she is the owner of the website but categorically rejected claims that it is being used for exploitation of children and for her personal aggrandizement.

She also confirmed receipt of at least US$30,000 from individuals and groups abroad for the operation of her entity in Liberia, including feeding, clothing of children, among other basic services.

Asked where the Global Orphan Outreach has its office(s) in Monrovia or at any part of the country, Madam Barber responded that her outfit does not have an office but conducts its activities at a local hotel.

“We are still looking for an office space in town. Right now, our work is being done at our home,” an apparent reference to the hotel (name withheld) where she has been residing since her arrival in Liberia in 2007.

Asked about her local staff, she made reference to one Pastor Peter Flomo and two other individuals (names not given). She added that the three men were working with her in Liberia in the conduct of the operation of the orphanage.

She also disclosed that since the ‘establishment’ of her organization, more than 30 needy children from Liberia have benefited from funds and materials for their wellbeing. She did not name the beneficiaries and the funds or materials received by each of them.

“At present, a total of nine kids are in our orphanage undergoing foster care for more than a year. We are presently putting things together to apply for a grant from a United Nations (UN) institution that would help us run the affairs of the organization,” Barber intoned.

When contacted for his reaction on the operation of Global Orphan Outreach in the country, the Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Joseph Geebro, said there is no record at the Ministry concerning the establishment and activities of said outreach.

Minister Geebro confirmed that the Global Orphan Outreach has been operating illegally in the country. He said the Ministry would look into the matter for appropriate action.”

An unlicensed “orphanage” with no children that operates out of a hotel…sounds so familiar…ah, yes…maybe Laura Silsby was her protege.

[Daily Observer 4/20/11]

Update: Because a commenter stated that an article was published a few days later and that this article is “99.9% lies”, we wanted to make sure that we hadn’t missed any updates. We conducted a search for more information and could not find the referenced article. We would be more than happy to publish the followup if any readers would give us the link. You can post it to our comments or email us at rallyreform@yahoo.com .

That being said, we did find quite a bit more information about this organization and leader of this organization.There was another article published in a different African publication that mirrors what we already posted. (Actually, it is worse than the first article.)

Liberia: Foreign-Owned NGO In ‘Illegal Operation’
[All Africa 4/19/11]

“A locally-based non-governmental organization (NGO) owned by a foreign national, an American citizen, is involved in illegal operation in the country, with the owner, thus far, admitting to not having legal authorization to operate in Liberia.

Madam Donna Barber told this paper last week that her NGO – Forget Me Not Children’s Foster Homes – which has been operating in Liberia for the past two years is yet to acquire legal papers, as done by others before going ahead with operation, saying “The Ministry told us to go ahead with our work while our papers have been processed.”

According to Madam Barber, who founds and runs the Global Orphan Outreach, she started running the yet-to-register NGO since 2007 having resigned from another NGO, not named, she worked with the same year for what she called “policy differences”.

She also narrowed attempts to get the name of the NGO on grounds “that there is case in Court in the US and that she did not want to say anything rather than what she said earlier.”

Except for the Global Orphan Outreach which she said is registered both in the United States where she resides and Liberia where she frequently comes, the “Foster Home” located in the Paynesville community is operating on mere verbal instruction.

When asked about the location of her offices, she also failed to disclose her NGO’s offices in Monrovia, except telling reporters the location of her Foster Homes as well as the names of her board members.

When asked as to whether she was aware of the legal implications of running an unregistered business in Liberia, Madam Barber “we are working on our papers and we are assured that the process will soon complete.”

She was responding to inquiries regarding the legitimate status of her Alternative Care, Forget Me Not Children Foster Home, on one hand and reports that she is taking pictures of abandoned children and poverty-stricken families and exploiting them as she raises funds to benefit herself while the money is not reaching children concerned on the other hand.

There are reports also that she went to the John F. Kennedy Hospital last year (2009) and took the photo of an alleged abandoned needy child and later placed the child’s photo on the internet, her website, in a bit to get funding in the child’s name.

There are reports that that after sometimes, about three months later, it was revealed that child only identified as Jeremiah was actually in the care of another organization.

According to the reports, when the child became very malnourished and developed bedsores, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare asked another organization to take him, for reasons best known to it.

When it was reported that the ministry asked the unnamed organization to take care of child, it is alleged that his photo and information that had been on her website/blog (globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com) for sometimes was expunged finally.

Also when it explained on her blog (globalorphanoutreach.blogspot.com) that the child had been placed in the care of another organization, she is quoted as stating on her page, “We are glad we were able to inspire other organizations to become involved in this important issue of caring for special needy children.”

The reports also have it that Madam Barber is fraudulently receiving $100 of sponsorship the whole time.

But Madam Barber told this paper that she got the children in the alternative care of her NGO legitimately with the involvement and concern of all concerned institutions, such as the Ministry of Health the hospital concerned.

When asked why she is placing the photos of children on the net, she said “so that people see what we are doing to help needy children,” and asked “it is wrong to help the children of Liberia?”

“I have been told that NGOs come and promise a lot and do not do it. We are trying not to do that. We do not want to come and promise anything. We do what he can, so I spent a lot promoting you guys (Liberians).”

She also admitted to reports that some philanthropist Americans are providing funding for the support of needy Liberian children, most of home are in alternative care, noting “Last year we received or raised about US$30,000 and this year, at least they have received or raised about US$6,000.”

Most of these monies, according to her, go toward supporting the needs of the children in the care of her Foster Homes, adding “my organization is here to bring people with money who have interest in certain projects and investing.”

Though this paper could not reach authorities at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, a local daily last week quoted Deputy Minister of Health Joseph Gebro as denying the existence of her orphanage center.

The minister told the local daily that Madam Barber was getting the children in question from the ministry.

“You cannot just come into this country and put Liberian children’s photos on the website just to get rich. You must meet our minimal standards,” the Deputy Minister said.

What he did not say is what the ministry would do to stop the illegal operation of the NGO in question since it did not meet the legal requirements to operate.”

Organization Purpose and History in Liberia

Thanks to our commenter for tipping us off to many clues about the history of Ms. Barber in Liberia.

The commenter did not mention the Forget Me Not foster homes referenced in this article. We did find  their blog and the donation money does go to the Global Orphan Outreach (GOO) operation.

First Hand Foundation mentioned by the commenter is a donation management group.See here.

Feed My Starving Children that they “partner” with (again mentioned by the commenter) is a 501c3 that distributes food to hungry children in many countries, including Liberia. Their food distribution partners are listed here. Neither Global Orphan Outreach nor the Forget Me Not foster homes are on the list. Perhaps GOO just donates to them?

The commenter mentioned that GOO is not an adoption agency. We never mentioned that either, by the way.  Upon further search and reading of the GOO blog, though, THEY mention quite a bit about adoption.  Their blog has a section called Adoption 9-1-1 where they link to a Yahoo group to give advice on adoption. They also have a section called Resources for Adoptive Parents that links to grants, tax relief, loans and fundraising for adoption. Additionally, they are advertised on this website as “Global Orphan Outreach exists to help adoptive families find and apply for adoption grants.” Adoption Associates, Inc. website lists GOO as an adoption funding site. Many other adoption fundraising sites list GOO as well.

The owner additionally is an adoptive parent of children from Liberia according to her  other business which breeds Miniature Goldendoodles. (We have found throughout the years that many dog breeders do adopt and provide foster care to large families.)

This post on a foster-adopt forum on April 14, 2008 reveals even more about Donna Barber’s association with the adoption industry. Excerpts are as follows:

“Global Orphan Outreach exists to make it possible for loving families to be united with the aid of grants which make funds available for adoptions. We procure and submit grant applications on behalf of you, the prospective adoptive parent.

We can assist you with the applications for adoption grants. We will research which grants are best for you, apply and fill out all paperwork for those grants for you, have them ready for your signature, and have them ready to be mailed in pre-addressed envelopes (much like an accountant who prepares your taxes). This service is available for any family adopting internationally or domestically. A portion of our proceeds are donated to orphans worldwide.

I am an adoptive mom of five children, two domestic and three International. I also have five biological children. I have worked in the adoption field for five years, most of them with an International Adoption Agency.”

“I have invested much time into grant organizations and foundations that give funds for the purpose of adoption as well as other resources. I’ve traveled abroad to visit orphanages, included Acres of Hope, Liberia, from where we adopted our children. ”

“Global Orphan Outreach homes to help many families. Just last week we did an Ethiopian Convention and an agency contacted me after wards about the many Ethiopian families who want to adopt the children of their dead relatives due to them dying of Aids there. These Ethiopian families live in American and have to follow adoption laws here. Unfortunately for them, they also have to pay the same fees as Americans for the adoption of their nieces, nephews, cousins, and grandchildren. They were so disheartened and felt that only rich Americans could afford to adopt from their home country.”

It turns out that the agency that she worked for was indeed Acres of Hope, where she worked as an office manager who travelled to Liberia.

For more about Acres of Hope agency, see PoundPup Legacy Acres of Hope files. Acres of Hope now has partnered with All Blessings International   for a new Liberia program.

The world of adoption is so small, isn’t it?

 

REFORM Puzzle Piece