Mackynzie Archer - The Emotional Labor of Care-Affected Children

Think Global, Do Justice

Mackynzie 'Mac' Archer comes with a deep love for the Haitian people and vulnerable populations. She is an anthropologist, researcher, consultant, and advocate. In this episode we dive into some of her findings in short-term missions, the orphanage system in Haiti, and her most recent doctoral research on the emotional labor of care-affected children.

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Resources and Links from the show

Most Children In Haitian Orphanages Aren’t Orphans — But US Missionaries Take Them Away From Their Families

Disquieting Gifts: Humanitarianism in New Delhi

Travesty in Haiti: A true account of Christian missions, orphanages, fraud, food aid, and drug trafficking

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

Conversation Notes

• How Mackenzie got to Haiti (6:00)
• The reality on the ground at an orphanage (7:30)
• Interviewing children in orphanage systems (10:30)
• Let’s talk about life in Haiti right now (12:00)
• The impact of instability on orphanages (15:00)
• An increase in malnutrition (21:00)
• Most organizations unable to meet basic needs (23:00)
• Sustaining poor child welfare practices (26:00)
• Good intentions (27:00)
• One story from a short-term missions volunteer (31:00)
• Accountable empathy (38:00)
• Are we willing to receiving from other cultures? (41:00)
• The emotional labor we see at orphanages (47:00)
• Wiping the eyes of children between groups of visitors (52:00)
• Emotional labor in family reunification (57:00)
• Building relationships instead of structures (1:12:00)