TOO FEW AWARE OF WORLD ORPHAN WEEK

COMMENTARY ARCHIVES, 12 Oct 2008

Brian McAfee

October 11 marked the end of World Orphan Week. With 133 million orphans in the world today, most in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and 15 million of them orphaned due to HIV/AIDS (according to SOS Children) we have a moral responsibility to ensure the basic needs orphans around the World. These needs include health, education and welfare. Addressing poverty issues in the various regions particularly populated with high levels of orphaned or abandoned children is being done by various organizations which all need our help.

There are numerous such organizations of which I have chosen to focus on a few. One particular one that is prominent for both addressing needs and informing the public with it’s regularly updated website is SOS Children’s Villages, www.soschildren.org . They regularly update their website with informative on conditions and events concerning orphans and current situations and events that may effect the wellbeing of children in need. Their website is essential for receiving the latest information as related to this issue. Another organization that I have been following for a few years now is the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation based in Vietnam. Christina Noble, an Irish woman who relocated to Vietnam to set up an orphanage in 1989. Her story and the story of the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation can be discovered in her excellent book, "Nobody’s Child", a must read. She has orphanages established in Vietnam and Mongolia. Her website is www.cncf.org . Another orphanage organization based primarily in India is the Raina Foundation. I know a bit less about them but they have an informative website at www.rainafoundation.com  . Unwanted girls in India are in particularly heart breaking situations because of some of the cultural attitudes of some Indians.

Another important organization is Oxfam International. While orphans are not their primary focus their focus on poverty issues directly impacts those most in need that frequently turns out to be orphans. Oxfam says "we believe we can end poverty and injustice as part of a Global movement for change". They combat poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy. Oxfam is certainly one of the best of the International organizations. Their website is www.oxfam.org  . Let me know of organizations you think are particularly good at addressing the issue and needs of orphans.

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