24.0 Purpose and Guiding Principles
Farewells must protect the emotional well-being of the children OSSO serves. Many children in care have already experienced loss, trauma, and inconsistent relationships. Emotional or dramatic goodbyes—crying, long hugs, sentimental speeches, or promises to return—can create confusion, distress, and a renewed sense of abandonment.
For this reason, farewells are intentionally low-key, simple, and child-focused. Volunteers continue serving and playing normally during their final interactions, without drawing attention to their departure.
24.1 Farewell Expectations for Volunteers
24.1.0 Farewell Expectations for Volunteers
Volunteers do not tell children they are leaving, unless the Operations Coordinator specifically identifies a site where brief farewells are permitted. The default policy is no departure announcements of any kind.
24.1.1 No emotional displays
Volunteers must avoid behavior that places emotional weight on children, including crying, extended hugging, expressing sadness about leaving, or conveying personal emotional needs.
24.1.2 Farewell wording
Statements such as “I’ll miss you so much,” “I’ll never forget you,” “I promise I will come back,” or similar sentiments are not permitted.
24.1.3 No promises or exchange of personal contact with children
Volunteers do not promise to return, share contact information, or create expectations of future communication.
(Sharing contact information with adult caregivers is permissible, as both parties are adults.)
24.1.4 Reminder from DOVEs
DOVEs remind volunteers before their final shift of the appropriate farewell conduct to ensure consistency and emotional safety for the children.
24.1.5 No special farewell photos
Photos or videos with children specifically for farewells are not permitted. All media remains subject to the existing OSSO Media Policy.
24.1.6 Shift before departure
Volunteers do not serve the shift immediately before their flight. This time is reserved for packing, preparation, and ensuring a smooth departure.
24.2 End-of-Semester Party
24.2.0 Purpose
An end-of-semester party is held at Hogar de Ángeles (HDA) during a regularly scheduled shift. This event is designed purely as a fun, high-energy activity for the children—not as a goodbye party.
24.2.1 Children must not be told it is a farewell
Children are not informed that the activity corresponds with volunteer departures.
24.2.2 Scheduling
All volunteers attend the party together. Other shifts that overlap are temporarily replaced with this combined activity so that all volunteers can participate.
24.2.3 Planning and activities
DOVEs oversee preparation using the regular activities budget. Volunteers may contribute personal supplies if they wish.
24.2.4 Coordination
The Operations Coordinator determines date and time with the orphanage, and DOVEs execute the activity plan.
24.3 Volunteer Farewell Banquet (Semester Abroad Volunteers Only)
24.3.0 Purpose
At the conclusion of each semester, DOVEs host a farewell banquet for the semester-abroad volunteers in recognition of their extended service.
24.3.1 Attendance
The banquet is only for semester-abroad volunteers and the DOVEs.
24.3.2 Planning and booking
DOVEs select the venue in consultation with the volunteers and handle the booking.
24.3.3 Budget confirmation
Before making reservations or purchases, DOVEs confirm the allowed banquet budget with the Operations Coordinator. (Budget amounts vary by site and may change over time; therefore, no fixed amount is listed in the handbook.)
24.3.3 Timing
The banquet is held near the end of the semester, timed so all semester-abroad volunteers are still in-country. The banquet should occur before the first semester abroad volunteer’s departure.
24.4 Summary of DOVE Responsibilities in Farewells
-Remind volunteers of appropriate farewell conduct before their final shift.
-Support the Operations Coordinator in executing the end-of-semester children’s party at HDA.
-Organize and host the semester-abroad farewell banquet, confirming budget before booking.
-Ensure no emotional or dramatic farewell behavior occurs at orphanages.
-Reinforce policies prohibiting promises, departure announcements, or inappropriate emotional exchanges with children.
-Ensure volunteers do not work the shift immediately before airport departure.