— -- Kathmandu, Nepal, a city nestled in the shadow of the Himalayas, is a mecca for mountain climbers and spiritual seekers alike.

It’s also a major hub for travelers, so-called “voluntourists,” socially conscious travelers who are drawn in by the opportunity to give something back to the impoverished country, one of the poorest on earth.

The chance to volunteer in one of Nepal’s many orphanages or children’s homes attracts voluntourists from around the world. It’s part of the new and booming billion-dollar global voluntourism industry, especially popular with American teenagers taking a gap year before heading off to college.

The situation has become so dire that the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) does not even refer to these places as orphanages anymore, but rather uses the term “residential care institutions.” According to the organization, only one in five “orphans” has actually lost his or her parents.

Parents often send their children to these homes because they cannot provide food and lodging. Moreover, the fact that these children sometimes make money they can send home is tempting for impoverished parents.

...These orphanages manage to make a profit by two avenues. The first is selling trinkets to passers-by. After a purchase, the children line up and sing songs, like “You Raise Me Up.”

...However, even more damaging is the practice of “voluntourism.” This recent phenomenon involves tourists seeking out philanthropic experiences, often at cost. The trend is particularly rampant in Australia, where 57 percent of universities advertise volunteer opportunities at these orphanages, per The Guardian. The orphanages are naturally often the subjects of fundraising efforts by well-meaning students