Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile
Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed.

@drrodneyw

Philanthropist, Activist, Researcher, Sr. Lecturer, Environmentalist. orcid.org/0000-0003-4581… tweets in English, Dutch and Indonesian. He/His/Dr.

ID: 1341884491329982465

linkhttp://www.westerlakenfoundation.org calendar_today23-12-2020 23:13:07

3,3K Tweet

272 Followers

247 Following

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

5/ Children do not belong in institutions. They belong in families. Research is clear: institutionalisation damages mental health, stunts development, and increases vulnerability to abuse. We must end this system.

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

5/ Research is clear: ❌ Institutions harm children ❌ Orphanages increase abuse risks ❌ 80% of children in orphanages HAVE parents ✅ Family-based care is the only ethical solution

Bernie Sanders (@berniesanders) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Elon Musk, the richest man on earth, is dismantling USAID, which feeds the poorest children on earth. This is oligarchy at its worst. Musk’s actions are not only immoral and unconstitutional, they are counterproductive to our standing in the world.

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

1/ More people are starting to see the problems with orphanages, highlighted in a recent Kompas article about Surabaya. Mayor Eri Cahyadi raised concerns over the increasing number of orphanages, noting that some are created just to attract donations rather than care for children

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

2/ Many of these orphanages bring in children from outside Surabaya, change their residency status, and shift the burden onto the local government. This is not just a tourism-driven issue in Bali—it’s happening across Indonesia.

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

3/ In my PhD research (2020), I concluded that many orphanages in Indonesia operate as funding mechanisms, not child welfare institutions. Children who are not actually orphans are often placed in institutions to attract donations.

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

4/ This results in unnecessary family separation and fuels a system where institutionalisation becomes a business model. In Surabaya, authorities are now investigating and sanctioning orphanages that primarily function as donation collectors.

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

5/ While this growing awareness is a positive step, real change will only come through a shift to family- and community-based care. Institutionalisation should be the last resort, not the first response.

Dr. Rodney Westerlaken M.A., M.Si., M.Ed. (@drrodneyw) 's Twitter Profile Photo

6/ The solution? Stop orphanage-based care and invest in family-based alternatives that truly prioritise children’s well-being. It’s time to move beyond institutions and support real, sustainable solutions. #StopOrphanages #ChildWelfare #OrphanageReform #Indonesia #FamilyBased

Andreas Harsono (@andreasharsono) 's Twitter Profile Photo

The Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky was designed to humiliate the Ukrainian leader on national television and give Trump the pretext to do what he wants to do: bring the war to an end on Russia’s terms theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

Westerlaken Foundation (@westerlakenfoun) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Westerlaken Foundation Conducts Free Dengue Vaccination for 500 Marginalized Children in Gianyar. Read more : linkedin.com/pulse/yayasan-…

Westerlaken Foundation (@westerlakenfoun) 's Twitter Profile Photo

🌱 Empowering Families, Ensuring Food Security The Westerlaken Foundation regularly holds meetings with empowered families to provide support and solutions to their challenges. Mother Tika’s inspiring story shows how she strives to support her family through her sewing skills

🌱 Empowering Families, Ensuring Food Security

The Westerlaken Foundation regularly holds meetings with empowered families to provide support and solutions to their challenges.
Mother Tika’s inspiring story shows how she strives to support her family through her sewing skills
Westerlaken Foundation (@westerlakenfoun) 's Twitter Profile Photo

The Westerlaken Foundation has handled numerous cases of stranded marine mammals in Indonesian waters, particularly in Bali. In recent years, these cases have continued to rise, indicating serious ecological problems in our oceans. read more : linkedin.com/pulse/stranded…

Vertigo_Warrior (@vertigowarrior) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Heartbreaking News💔 A massive 7.7 quake devastates Mandalay, Myanmar, and impacts Bangkok, Thailand. A Thread Not for the soft-hearted ⚠️

Heartbreaking News💔

A massive 7.7 quake devastates Mandalay, Myanmar, and impacts Bangkok, Thailand.

A Thread Not for the soft-hearted ⚠️
Stop Orphanages Campaign (@stoporphanages) 's Twitter Profile Photo

📢 It’s time to shift toward family-based care, not institutions. #StopOrphanages #ProtectChildren #FamilyBasedCare people.com/michael-karl-f…

Musée du Louvre (@museelouvre) 's Twitter Profile Photo

⚠️🇫🇷 Le musée du Louvre restera fermé aujourd'hui pour raisons exceptionnelles. ∴ ⚠️🌍 The Musée du Louvre will remain closed today for exceptional reasons.

⚠️🇫🇷 Le musée du Louvre restera fermé aujourd'hui pour raisons exceptionnelles. 
∴
⚠️🌍 The Musée du Louvre will remain closed today for exceptional reasons.