Apprentice star Nick Hewer reveals how he was duped by an orphanage for blind children 'set up to make money for its owners'
Nick Hewer, the former adviser on The Apprentice, has unveiled how he was 'duped' by an orphanage for blind children that was 'set up to make money for its owners'.
Lord Sugar's former sidekick discussed the time he visited India on a cricket tour with a group of journalists, including Mihir Bose and Michael Cockerell.
During their visit, the 80-year-old said the group were all 'mesmerised by these tiny little children' who could identify shapes on wood carvings by touch alone.
However, despite donating money on their way out, Hewer told The Times: 'It was only years later after I had learned about the orphanage business that I realised what fools we had all been.'
British charity Hope and Homes for Children, who are dedicated to placing children with families, helped Hewer understand that orphanages in India can be set up to make money for owners rather than care for the children.
He also became aware of claims that orphanages on tourist trails purposely blind children to maximise their donations.
Asked why he was supporting Hope and Homes for Children dismantling orphanages, he added: 'Most of the kids are not orphans and many of the orphanages are run as businesses.
'If you want a child to grow into a good adult, they should grow up in a loving family. Not banged up in an orphanage in the middle of nowhere where they are not looked after properly. Because where there's money to be made, you get people seeking to exploit children.'
Nick Hewer, the former adviser on The Apprentice, is pictured during a visit to Rwanda for Hope and Homes for Children in 2009
Lord Sugar's former sidekick, pictured in Rwanda in 2009 for Hope and Homes for Children, revealed how he was 'duped' by an orphanage for blind children
Mark Riley, of Hope and Homes for Children, said: 'Nick has spearheaded the global movement to end the business of orphanage tourism, after experiencing firsthand how it exploits vulnerable children.
'We don't want to discourage volunteering abroad, but as Nick's rightly points out, we must highlight the risks of volunteering in orphanages.
'Around 80% of the 5.4 million children in orphanages around the world are not orphans, but are separated from families due to poverty, disability, or discrimination. Half of children in orphanages experience violence, rape, neglect, and trafficking.
'In some countries across Asia (as well as Africa and South America), orphanages can operate as businesses, persuading vulnerable parents to give up their children with promises of schooling and medical care.
'Fake orphans are sometimes given new IDs, held in tourist hotspots and made to perform for unvetted Western tourists and gap year volunteers. These children are treated as commodities - the more an orphanage has, the more donations it attracts.
'As Nick rightly points out, we need to stop unvetted tourists from paying to visit orphanages abroad and get these children back to family.'
The 80-year-old, pictured again in Rwanda, said he has now learned that orphanages in India can be set up to make money for owners rather than care for the children
Earlier this year it was revealed that Apprentice star James White's company Right Time Recruitment has gone into liquidation.
The Apprentice winner, 33, received a £250,000 investment from Lord Alan Sugar as he emerged victorious from the hit BBC series in 2017.
But seven years on, the recruitment company owes £10,000 to HMRC among other creditors, according to The Sun.
Lord Sugar pulled out of the business in 2020, and it is believed that the firm owes Lloyds Bank more than £52,500 and a secretarial company more than £33,000.
The company's Statement of Affairs claimed that there is likely to be a 'total deficiency' of £199,763.71.
According to the outlet, James has now appointed a liquidator to close Right Time.
The recruitment firm specialised in the IT and consultancy industries and, following the departure of Lord Sugar as shareholder, James became the sole owner of the firm.
MailOnline has contacted Hope and Homes for Children for comment.
