A very Merry Christmas video from the Children at Orphanage Emmanuel in Guaimaca Honduras. Blessings to Lydia and David Martinez and all the wonderful others who love on these amazing children.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Pictures of the new Toddler House!
I was very excited to get these early pictures of the progress on the new boys toddler house at Orphanage Emmanuel (OE) in Guaimaca, Honduras. It will be occupied by older toddler boys, who graduate from the toddler house but still act as toddlers. The World Orphan Fund paid for half of the $45,000 (U.S.) cost to build it.
God's timing is perfect as most of the 94 children OE has received in the last month are due to a government children's home burning, and the majority of those are of the ages planned for this new house. OE is also building a new infant house due to be completed next year.
If you'd like to help by making a contribution, you can do so safely and securely by clicking here. Every donation helps, no matter how modest.
A big thank you to our donors who helped make this new house happen!
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Front View of New House
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| Inside Room |
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| Bathroom |
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| Loft (there will be railings) |
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Orphan Adoptions in U.S. Plummet
Foreign adoptions by Americans have dropped by more than half since 2005 -- from around 22,000 per year, to 9,300 last year. Just in the past year, the number of U.S. adoptions of Ethiopian children has dropped 30 percent.
It's become an all too familiar story in the world of international adoption. The nations that traditionally have sent the most children to the United States, including South Korea, China, Guatemala and Russia, have all cut back.
International adoptions by American parents has fallen by almost 60 percent since its peak and recently released figures show a drop of 15 percent just over the past year. All this in the face of a UNICEF report showing 163 million orphans worldwide, 18 million of those have lost both of their parents.
Adoption should always be a last resort when it comes to ensuring the welfare of a child. Equally important, the trade in children requires extreme caution when it comes to inter-country adoptions. No family wants to adopt a child wrongly identified as an orphan. No child wants to be taken away from their country if there are family members who can fulfill the role of parent. But the reduction in the number of adoptions in the United States is alarming.
Numerous countries, including Guatemala and Vietnam, have experienced problems such as judges and lawyers taking bribes, and gangs or even police stealing children. In 2008, Guatemala was the leading source of international adoptions in the U.S., with 4,123 children. Over the past year, the number plummeted to 32, as Guatemalan authorities sought to regain control of the country's troubled adoption system.
New International Accords Have a Dramatic Impact
The "Hague Convention on International Adoption" is an effort to protect against the "sale and trafficking in children." The international accord, drafted in 1993 and implemented by the U.S. in 2008, is meant to regulate a formerly wide-open international adoption marketplace. Tough questions by the State Dept led to a virtual halt in adoptions from Vietnam, Ethiopia and Guatemala. More than 80 countries have signed on to the convention, including China and India.
And in July, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signed a pact to create new guidelines for U.S. adoptions of Russian children. The agreement came in response to an incident last year in which a Tennessee woman sent her adopted 7-year-old son on a plane alone back to Moscow with a note saying, "I no longer wish to parent this child."
The incident and other stories led Russia to reduce the number of children Americans could adopt from a peak of 5,862 in 2004 to 970 over the past year. But the vast majority of the 50,000 Russian children adopted by American parents since 1993 are now growing up in secure and supportive homes.
A Heated Debate
While there appears to be a consensus that orphans should be kept within their own families or communities whenever possible and adopted domestically if need be, how often international adoptions should be allowed for children who can't find a home in their country of origin has drawn heated debate.
While there appears to be a consensus that orphans should be kept within their own families or communities whenever possible and adopted domestically if need be, how often international adoptions should be allowed for children who can't find a home in their country of origin has drawn heated debate.
Advocates of international adoption say that the rare cases of abuse and relatively isolated examples of corruption should not be used as an excuse to deprive needy children of the care and nurturing of a family.
Other advocacy groups believe that the best way to improve the lives of needy children is to provide services and support for families in their home countries.
Caring for the world's most vulnerable children requires both a long-term and a short-term strategy. Alleviating poverty and providing support should be the ultimate goal, and as noted earlier the first and best option is to have a child raised in their own country. But in the meantime there are millions of orphans around the world who could use a home, many of them in the United States.
CBS News and NPR were sources for much of the information contained in this post. The charts are from NPR.
Other advocacy groups believe that the best way to improve the lives of needy children is to provide services and support for families in their home countries.
Caring for the world's most vulnerable children requires both a long-term and a short-term strategy. Alleviating poverty and providing support should be the ultimate goal, and as noted earlier the first and best option is to have a child raised in their own country. But in the meantime there are millions of orphans around the world who could use a home, many of them in the United States.
CBS News and NPR were sources for much of the information contained in this post. The charts are from NPR.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
A New Orphan Every 15 Seconds
When we started the World Orphan Fund about 10 months ago it was a leap of faith. We've funded half of the cost to build a toddler house at Orphanage Emmanuel in Honduras and have a strong following on our Facebook page. It's a good start, and in the coming weeks we will launch our website and a newsletter. It's been wonderful to hear the stories of so many who have already been helping and from others we've inspired to get involved for the first time.
We know we're one of hundreds of groups working to support support these children, and we shamelessly promote good causes when we find them. I was surprised early on when I got a note from a charity with a similar name to ours asking that we consider calling ourselves something different. The concern was that we might be confused with them. My response was that there is a great need for what we are doing in the world and I pray that both of our organizations reach as many these children as possible.
Honestly, whether you join with us, or another worthy charity, please just get involved, because the reality that lead to our founding is heartbreaking. For example, according to Family Hope International, an organization that works to connect potential host families with Ukrainian orphans, there are more than 100,000 Ukrainian children under the age of 16 that either live on the streets or in an orphanage. Only 3 percent of those orphans will be adopted once they reach 9 years old and most orphans are released back onto the street, or “age-out” of an orphanage by 18. Of that total, 70 percent of the boys will serve time in prison and 60 percent of the girls become prostitutes. Ten percent of all Ukrainian orphans will commit suicide before the age of 18. I just can't stand idly by knowing that.
At Orphanage Emmanuel, where we've focused our early efforts, the statistics are just as staggering. This week alone they received 63 new kids, expect 20 more in the next few days. That means a growth rate of more than 17% in just over a year. The Toddler house we helped pay for will help house some of these children and we look forward to seeing it in January. But along with housing, these 83 new children will need sponsors to both love them, and help pay for their needs. If you are interested in sponsoring a child at Emmanuel, please email me at rj@theworldorphanfund.org.
In April we hope to visit smaller orphanages in Honduras, ones where our support can make the biggest difference. These are orphanages that are 10-15 years behind Emmanuel and Santa Fe.
In June the WOF hopes to sponsor it's first youth mission trip for younger adults (18-25), hopefully to Emmanuel. Our plan is to assemble a team from several congregations from Wisconsin in a effort to rapidly connect churches with both orphans and orphanages. Our goal is multi-layered. Create future mission teams out of each congregation, encourage church support of the orphans and orphanages, and strategically locate the churches near schools that the U.S. Government has approved for non-resident children. By doing so we increase our chances of finding host families for children we hope to bring to the U.S. to educate.
Have ideas, see a need or just want to get involved? Drop me an email at rj@theworldorphanfund.org.
We know we're one of hundreds of groups working to support support these children, and we shamelessly promote good causes when we find them. I was surprised early on when I got a note from a charity with a similar name to ours asking that we consider calling ourselves something different. The concern was that we might be confused with them. My response was that there is a great need for what we are doing in the world and I pray that both of our organizations reach as many these children as possible.
Honestly, whether you join with us, or another worthy charity, please just get involved, because the reality that lead to our founding is heartbreaking. For example, according to Family Hope International, an organization that works to connect potential host families with Ukrainian orphans, there are more than 100,000 Ukrainian children under the age of 16 that either live on the streets or in an orphanage. Only 3 percent of those orphans will be adopted once they reach 9 years old and most orphans are released back onto the street, or “age-out” of an orphanage by 18. Of that total, 70 percent of the boys will serve time in prison and 60 percent of the girls become prostitutes. Ten percent of all Ukrainian orphans will commit suicide before the age of 18. I just can't stand idly by knowing that.
Worldwide it's an epidemic. Every 15 SECONDS, another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa Every year 2,102,400 more children become orphans there alone.
143,000,000 Orphans spend an average of 10 years in an orphanage or foster home. That's a number equal to half the U.S. Population.
And while approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, EVERY YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans and age out of the system. Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home.
At Orphanage Emmanuel, where we've focused our early efforts, the statistics are just as staggering. This week alone they received 63 new kids, expect 20 more in the next few days. That means a growth rate of more than 17% in just over a year. The Toddler house we helped pay for will help house some of these children and we look forward to seeing it in January. But along with housing, these 83 new children will need sponsors to both love them, and help pay for their needs. If you are interested in sponsoring a child at Emmanuel, please email me at rj@theworldorphanfund.org.
In April we hope to visit smaller orphanages in Honduras, ones where our support can make the biggest difference. These are orphanages that are 10-15 years behind Emmanuel and Santa Fe.
In June the WOF hopes to sponsor it's first youth mission trip for younger adults (18-25), hopefully to Emmanuel. Our plan is to assemble a team from several congregations from Wisconsin in a effort to rapidly connect churches with both orphans and orphanages. Our goal is multi-layered. Create future mission teams out of each congregation, encourage church support of the orphans and orphanages, and strategically locate the churches near schools that the U.S. Government has approved for non-resident children. By doing so we increase our chances of finding host families for children we hope to bring to the U.S. to educate.
Have ideas, see a need or just want to get involved? Drop me an email at rj@theworldorphanfund.org.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A Thousand Individual Efforts
It's inspiring to see so many stories about individual efforts to help orphans. The stories are a constant reminder how each and every one of us can make a difference. It just takes that first step. We at the World Orphan Fund are developing a website that will allow caring people to see opportunties to help orphans -- and then take things in their own hands. But until then, below are three stories about people who have already done just that.
Cycling for a Liberian Orphanage
In Oregon, Clackamas Sheriff Craig Roberts and his son Ryan are cycling for an Orphanage in Liberia. When John Van Huizen, a retired Clackamas County deputy told the police benevolent association he needed a conduit for a fundraiser to help orphans in Liberia, they enthusiastically took on the project.
"When John came back from a trip to Liberia, he was emotionally distraught by the plight of orphans in Liberia, where 300 children a day die,” from causes related to AIDS and physical abuse, Roberts said.
With the benevolent foundation’s help, an orphanage for 50 children was built and local volunteers visit frequently to help carry out its mission.
“Our goal now is to raise $22,000 to buy bunks, desks and furniture,” Roberts said, adding that the plight of the orphans “makes us feel fortunate for what we have.”
Starting an Orphanage in Uganda
Holly Pheni saw the African Children’s Choir perform in Casper, Wyoming in 2005, and answered their call for volunteers. Pheni toured with the choir for a year and chaperoned some of the singers back to Uganda. Instead of coming home, she worked for an orphanage.
There she found orphans, many with AIDS, often left to the streets or go to caregivers who’re too afraid to touch them. While there she met her husband and together they founded "Our Own Home" for orphans with AIDS.
In the four years the home has existed, only three children have died — two babies for whom help came too late and an older child who got leukemia.
Most of the residents are healthy and energetic. The only way you’d know they have a disease is that they take medication twice a day, Pheni said. They go to school, run around, play soccer and have fun in the tree-house William built. Proud of growing their own maize, they help make a cornmeal called posha.
“What happens is when kids come in, they usually have health problems,” Pheni said. “Then as they get on their medication and have a better living environment — especially love — they change. They get strong.”
I'm Not to Cool To Beg
Carrien Blue says she used to try and be cool. She says it changed after meeting forty orphaned kids from Burma, holed up in a little house in the Thai jungle with their protector, a guy named Chala, who was feeding them as well as he could with what little he could make, working as hard as he could in a 3rd world country. You can't un-know that, says Blue.
In the years following Blue and her husband founded a non-profit called The Charis Project, came up with a plan for a self sustaining orphan care model, and started figuring out how to implement it. Now they're trying to raise enough money to build them.
Blue homeschools four kids and runs the charity from the kitchen counter. Now that's cool. Check out her story.
Cycling for a Liberian Orphanage
In Oregon, Clackamas Sheriff Craig Roberts and his son Ryan are cycling for an Orphanage in Liberia. When John Van Huizen, a retired Clackamas County deputy told the police benevolent association he needed a conduit for a fundraiser to help orphans in Liberia, they enthusiastically took on the project.
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| Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts and Son Ryan |
"When John came back from a trip to Liberia, he was emotionally distraught by the plight of orphans in Liberia, where 300 children a day die,” from causes related to AIDS and physical abuse, Roberts said.
With the benevolent foundation’s help, an orphanage for 50 children was built and local volunteers visit frequently to help carry out its mission.
“Our goal now is to raise $22,000 to buy bunks, desks and furniture,” Roberts said, adding that the plight of the orphans “makes us feel fortunate for what we have.”
Starting an Orphanage in Uganda
Holly Pheni saw the African Children’s Choir perform in Casper, Wyoming in 2005, and answered their call for volunteers. Pheni toured with the choir for a year and chaperoned some of the singers back to Uganda. Instead of coming home, she worked for an orphanage.
There she found orphans, many with AIDS, often left to the streets or go to caregivers who’re too afraid to touch them. While there she met her husband and together they founded "Our Own Home" for orphans with AIDS.
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| Holly Pheni at "Our Own Home" Orphanage |
In the four years the home has existed, only three children have died — two babies for whom help came too late and an older child who got leukemia.
Most of the residents are healthy and energetic. The only way you’d know they have a disease is that they take medication twice a day, Pheni said. They go to school, run around, play soccer and have fun in the tree-house William built. Proud of growing their own maize, they help make a cornmeal called posha.
“What happens is when kids come in, they usually have health problems,” Pheni said. “Then as they get on their medication and have a better living environment — especially love — they change. They get strong.”
I'm Not to Cool To Beg
Carrien Blue says she used to try and be cool. She says it changed after meeting forty orphaned kids from Burma, holed up in a little house in the Thai jungle with their protector, a guy named Chala, who was feeding them as well as he could with what little he could make, working as hard as he could in a 3rd world country. You can't un-know that, says Blue.
 |
| Carrien Blue |
In the years following Blue and her husband founded a non-profit called The Charis Project, came up with a plan for a self sustaining orphan care model, and started figuring out how to implement it. Now they're trying to raise enough money to build them.
Blue homeschools four kids and runs the charity from the kitchen counter. Now that's cool. Check out her story.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Queen Rania and the Al-Aman Fund
I came across the Al-Aman Fund for Orphans yesterday after reading the Arab Bank's announcement that it will sponsor a years worth of vocational training for 50 orphans through the Jordanian fund.
The Al-Aman fund was started in 2003 by Queen Rania, and every orphan residing in Jordan, regardless of their religion or nationality is eligible to benefit. It provides educational scholarships, living expenses, counseling services, apprenticeship and employment assistance and health insurance.
Focusing on post-secondary education and vocational training for 18-21 year-old orphans is one that we at the World Orphan Fund have a very strong interest in. Until these children obtain marketable skills, there is little hope of ending the cycle that made them orphans in the first place.
As I followed link after link, I was amazed by Queen Rania's impressive history of advocating for Children beyond Jordan's borders.
In 2007 she was named UNICEF's first Eminent Advocate for Children.
In 2008, she participated in YouTube's In My Name campaign and appeared alongside The Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am in the video, "End Poverty – Be the Generation," which urged world leaders to keep the promises they made in 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit.
So not only is she genuinely commited to children, she's cool.
In 2009 she became Honorary Global Chair of the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), and is co-founder and global co-chair of the 1GOAL Education for All campaign to rally World Cup 2010 fans together during the world’s biggest single sporting event and call on world leaders to give 75 million children out of school an education.
Her efforts are nothing short of inspiring.
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| Queen Rania of Jordan |
Focusing on post-secondary education and vocational training for 18-21 year-old orphans is one that we at the World Orphan Fund have a very strong interest in. Until these children obtain marketable skills, there is little hope of ending the cycle that made them orphans in the first place.
As I followed link after link, I was amazed by Queen Rania's impressive history of advocating for Children beyond Jordan's borders.
In 2007 she was named UNICEF's first Eminent Advocate for Children.
In 2008, she participated in YouTube's In My Name campaign and appeared alongside The Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am in the video, "End Poverty – Be the Generation," which urged world leaders to keep the promises they made in 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit.
So not only is she genuinely commited to children, she's cool.
In 2009 she became Honorary Global Chair of the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), and is co-founder and global co-chair of the 1GOAL Education for All campaign to rally World Cup 2010 fans together during the world’s biggest single sporting event and call on world leaders to give 75 million children out of school an education.
Her efforts are nothing short of inspiring.
Friday, September 2, 2011
A New Toddler House in Honduras
I'm pleased to announce that the World Ophan Fund is helping build a new Toddler House at Orphanage Emmanuel (OE) in Guaimaca, Honduras. They will break ground in September or October.
Less than a year ago a dedicated team from Emmanuel brought about 70 new toddlers from an overcrowded orphange 6.5 hours away. My youngest sponsor child came from that Ophanage. He's a beautiful and happy boy, but he was clearly abused early in life and came with a host of issues from his tramautic first 3 years of life. Thank God there are loving places like Emmanuel for children like him.
The cost to build the house is $45,000 and it can house 70 kids. Can you imagine that? Some people in the U.S. spend that much for a car!
The World Orphan Fund has committed $20,000 toward this project and OE has another $9,000 pledged. That leaves them $16,000 short and we at the World Orphan Fund are helping them find it.
If you'd like to donate to help build this house just click here. You can make a secure donation online and help make a difference in the lives of these wonderful children.
Less than a year ago a dedicated team from Emmanuel brought about 70 new toddlers from an overcrowded orphange 6.5 hours away. My youngest sponsor child came from that Ophanage. He's a beautiful and happy boy, but he was clearly abused early in life and came with a host of issues from his tramautic first 3 years of life. Thank God there are loving places like Emmanuel for children like him.
The cost to build the house is $45,000 and it can house 70 kids. Can you imagine that? Some people in the U.S. spend that much for a car!
The World Orphan Fund has committed $20,000 toward this project and OE has another $9,000 pledged. That leaves them $16,000 short and we at the World Orphan Fund are helping them find it.
If you'd like to donate to help build this house just click here. You can make a secure donation online and help make a difference in the lives of these wonderful children.
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