Linda,i think some times what happens is a person or groups of people want to start a business,they know that if you pretend to be an orphanage than its easy to raise money from either volinteers or tourist.using childern as there commodity.
if people donate than they the group keep the money or produce and the childern get nothing or at the very best maybe a meal and they learn to sing a simple merry song in english.
the tourist think oh what cute childern and feel good to give money.what they dont realise is the actual giving of money is harmful to the childern.
some of the reasons giving money or produce( the produce is sold later for money) is harmful include
1..it sets a bad example for others to follow,others will see that they to could start a business using the same business model and get easy money.
2..the childern learn begging is good,they learn that someone will always look after them if they ask.
3..the childern learn a few simple songs in english and learn to smile at tourist but not much formal education.at my last job interview i was asked about my schooling not asked to sing a simple song,like "if you are happy and you know it shake your head"
4..it uses child labour.childern are there produce.
5..it gives honest organistions a bad name.
6..it gives cambodia a bad name.
7..it promotes cheating and lies.
8..but i think the most worrisome to me is some times the so called orphanages hides people that are harmful to the childern.i think if you goggle lighthouse orphanage phnom penh you may realise what i mean.(: