GREENVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: MrBeast was recently labeled a "White savior" by charitable organizations following the release of his video regarding the reconstruction of an African orphanage as he allegedly refused to rehome the children.
The YouTuber has earned a reputation for his charitable activities, which he showcases through his videos. The 'We Adopted an Orphanage' video that MrBeast uploaded on his Beast Philanthropy channel on August 20 has already amassed over 9.6 million views and about 18.5k comments.
Is MrBeast's Beast philanthropy genuine?
While MrBeast's charitable work has touched millions around the world, the YouTuber has reportedly disregarded appeals from humanitarian organizations to halt his perceived "philanthropic spectacle," and overlooked concerns that orphanages often fester "violence, abuse, and neglect," as per Daily Mail.
Contrary to these pleas, the creator directed millions of dollars into documenting the restoration of the Baphumelele Orphanage in South Africa, as showcased in the 'We Adopted an Orphanage' video.
His actions have led to allegations from the charity Hope and Homes for Children, asserting that the endeavor was merely a maneuver to accrue higher view counts.
Notably, Hope and Homes for Children is a global initiative to eliminate orphanages and facilitate family placements for children, receiving support from prominent entities, including the UN, EU, Commonwealth, and the South African government.
Lourenza Foghill, a representative from Hope and Homes for Children, remarked that MrBeast consciously chose to dismiss the requests, despite the charity's attempt to reach him in March, shortly after he solicited donations for his orphanage project by releasing a video.
She questioned whether this incident epitomized a case of "White saviorism," saying, "Is it a classic case of white saviorism? Arguably yes, but one thing is for sure, MrBeast is denying the so-called 'orphans' from Baphumele their right to grow up in a family."
The charity emphasized that there were no indications of misconduct within the Baphumelele orphanage itself.
Why did the charitable organizations want to reach MrBeast regarding his 'We Adopted an Orphanage' video?
The Hope and Homes for Children organization provided compelling evidence that reveals a staggering 80 percent of the 5.4 million children presently residing in orphanages are not true orphans, and they reportedly have families who could provide them with care, as per Daily Mail.
Advocates also argue that a significant portion of children raised within such institutions endure maltreatment and negligence, leading to a heightened likelihood of homelessness, mental health challenges, and entanglements with the legal system in their later lives.
Notable charitable organizations, including Hope and Homes as well as the Lumos Foundation established by author JK Rowling, apparently communicated this concern to MrBeast's team in March. Unfortunately, they did not receive any response.
On August 20, MrBeast uploaded the video titled 'We Adopted an Orphanage', where the creator claimed to have rescued the Baphumelele Orphanage from closure after an intense six-month effort, during which his team constructed 12 new residences, ensured a steady supply of fresh sustenance, and revamped the dilapidated playground.
The video asserted that the orphanage had previously saved approximately 5,000 lives, narrating the journey of Mama Rosie, the visionary behind the establishment.
The charitable organizations that expressed concerns about MrBeast's actions clarified that there were no allegations of misconduct against Mama Rosie or her Baphumelele Orphanage.
Lumos Foundation issued a statement acknowledging that while Mama Rosie's orphanage seemed to have "well-intentioned" origins, it wasn't the case for all similar establishments, stating that numerous orphanages worldwide are established to exploit children for financial gain, putting them at risk of harm and mistreatment.
By endorsing orphanages, even those with good intentions, one can inadvertently amplify the efforts of those with less noble motives, perpetuating the cycle of exploitation, as per the organizations.
To genuinely support children, a shift away from promoting the orphanage system is imperative. Instead, the focus should be on aiding families through community-based care, ensuring that children can thrive in their rightful place, asserted the Lumos Foundation, according to Daily Mail.
Is this the first time MrBeast has faced allegations due to his charitable acts?
Unfortunately, this is not the first instance in which Jimmy Donaldson aka MrBeast, has faced accusations for his charitable acts, as the creator has often faced backlash for using it to generate online engagement.
Back in January, he faced criticism for the video titled '1,000 Blind People See For The First Time', in which the creator documented his efforts to aid numerous visually impaired individuals from around the globe in receiving cataract removal surgery through a not-for-profit organization.
Many on the Internet contended that he exploited the hardships of these individuals to elevate his affluence and prominence. However, the doctor responsible for the surgeries maintained that many patients indeed benefited from the interventions.
Internet reacts to MrBeast's controversy surrounding 'We Adopted an Orphanage' video
In the wake of the allegations against MrBeast, numerous individuals on social media stepped up to voice their perspectives on the matter.
A user sarcastically wrote, "mrbeast just built an orphanage what an a*****e /j."
"Why does he have to make philanthropy "social media content". Very weird man," added another.
One user expressed, "This is disgusting. Imagine building an orphanage to help out children for your OWN monetary gain… Why does he have to film every “good deed” he does?? 🤔🤔💦 HMMM??? Because he’s clearly egocentric and only cares about MONEY!!! Shame on you for helping people Mr Beast!!"
"Mr. Beast could save the world from a catastrophe and people would still find a way to criticize him," remarked another.
