Preserving Families

The Truth: 4 out of 5 children in orphanages have at least one living parent.

Save the Children states…

“Lack of support to families and communities results in large numbers of children ending up in potentially harmful institutions.  4 out of 5 of the estimated 8 million children currently living in care institutions, have one or both parents alive. With some support these parents would be able to continue to care for their child in their own home.

Where families lack the support to provide adequate care, children are at risk of being abandoned, placed in institutions, and of being abused and exploited. Greater political and financial commitment is needed to help build parents’ capacity to care for their children and to tackle the poverty and social exclusion that underlie many of the problems experienced by children and their families.” (Save the Children, “Family Strengthening and Support”, September 2010)

_68A4169Yesterday we learned of some more cases of vulnerable children in the community.

Manuel is a 1 ½ year old boy. But if you saw him you’d be surprised to find out he’s any older than 3 months. He doesn’t walk. He doesn’t talk. He doesn’t crawl. He is so malnourished and developmentally delayed that it’s a wonder he has even survived this long.

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We heard about another home where a six year old boy is left in charge of caring for his two younger siblings, ages 3 and 1 while his parents work all day. He watches them, feeds them, bathes them – assumes all the duties of a parent or caregiver while sacrificing his own needs; his education; his childhood.

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We don’t know the details of either of these families’ stories – but hearing them only fuels our fire and reinforces the mission God has given us – to help preserve families.

We’re ready. We’re eager. Our family has doubled in size in the past weeks and we know there are so many more children waiting for someone to come to their rescue.

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So we are excited to announce that construction of Phase Two will officially begin next week. It’s going to be hectic. It’s going to be dirty and noisy and disruptive. But it is going to be worth it.

Because more children, more families, deserve a chance of remaining whole.

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Want to take part? Visit our donate page to make your contribution!