Thanks for all the wonderful comments on "I feel misled". Great discussion.
Time to clarify. 143 million children were identified by UNICEF as needing extra services. They put the label "Orphan" on those children. Technically, many are not orphans. But they still need services of some type and need help. But MOST do not need a new family. (This was all news to me as I'd only heard it as 143million kids need a new home.)
Meanwhile. The Bible tells me to take care of the orphan. Now the Bible doesn't clearly define orphan so I will not either. But it also urges me to take care of the poor, the needy, hungry, sick, etc. And it tells me to take care of my neighbor. And it tells me to help those who ask for help. (I could cite verses for all of these but I'm not really trying to do a Bible Study here.)
Therefore, 143 million children need some type of help. True. The TYPE of help is what is in question for me.
When I speak about adoption now, I will make sure to use the right data. It's not 143 million who need to be adopted. In fact, it's a relatively small number (which is actually GREAT news). It's still a huge need. Of those that need to be adopted, MOST (estimates are 95%) are above the age of 5 and many are in sibling groups. Most are not Caucasian but are African, Asian, Hispanic. So as I help people identify the need, THIS is the clearer picture. (And Yes, there are still little ones needing a home.)
Next, as I speak, I will be sure to include the need for services right where the kids are. That emphasis needs to be a part of the story. To help the child who is living with his grandmother and they are not eating every day. The child who cannot go to school because he does not have clothing or shoes to be able to go. The child who drinks from polluted water every day. The child who is sick and has no access to medical care. THESE are among the 143 million children - whether they have parents/relatives or not.
I was among those giving out misinformation. Now, I am on the track of giving the right information. I'm hoping that I can better identify the actual needs and help meet THOSE needs, not the ones we "thought" or were "told" were the needs.
My heart has not changed. My personal mission has not changed. ("Speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves" from Proverbs 31:8.) The mission of S.H.O.E.S. will change but only slightly. We have a lot of work to do.
What will YOU do to help these children?
Showing posts with label SHOES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SHOES. Show all posts
Sep 23, 2009
Sep 22, 2009
I feel misled
I've been dreading writing this for a while now. Here goes.
What does the word "Orphan" mean to you? To ME, it means - has no parents (No mother or father). I was told (and it's everywhere in literature and on the internet, in sermons ... everywhere), that there are 143 million orphans in the world. I even wrote an article about it, had it on my website.
Turns out, they have a new definition for the word "Orphan" ... meaning - having lost one parent. There are 143 million "orphans". You are called a "double orphan" if you have lost both parents. There are approximately 16 million of those in the world. (Still a lot, but a huge difference.)
According to Unicef (the noted expert on this subject) says of those 16 million "double orphans", 95% of them live with a relative (grandparents, aunts, etc.) and are not available for adoption. Now I have NO clue if this data is correct or not. I'm not even going to cite where I read this - just google it for yourself if you want. I'm simply saying, I feel misled.
Does this change the fact that these 143 million children NEED help? Of course not. But it DOES change what things they need. They don't need a family, need to be adopted. They need services around them, services for their family and community. It completely shifts the focus for me at least.
My head has been spinning. As the director of SHOES (a non-profit designed to help these orphans), I have to rethink what we are doing and if we're meeting the actual need, not just the one I was told was there.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Where does my ministry go from here? I'd love to hear from all of you on this.
Maybe I'm the last person on the planet to have figured this out ... I highly doubt it.
What does the word "Orphan" mean to you? To ME, it means - has no parents (No mother or father). I was told (and it's everywhere in literature and on the internet, in sermons ... everywhere), that there are 143 million orphans in the world. I even wrote an article about it, had it on my website.
Turns out, they have a new definition for the word "Orphan" ... meaning - having lost one parent. There are 143 million "orphans". You are called a "double orphan" if you have lost both parents. There are approximately 16 million of those in the world. (Still a lot, but a huge difference.)
According to Unicef (the noted expert on this subject) says of those 16 million "double orphans", 95% of them live with a relative (grandparents, aunts, etc.) and are not available for adoption. Now I have NO clue if this data is correct or not. I'm not even going to cite where I read this - just google it for yourself if you want. I'm simply saying, I feel misled.
Does this change the fact that these 143 million children NEED help? Of course not. But it DOES change what things they need. They don't need a family, need to be adopted. They need services around them, services for their family and community. It completely shifts the focus for me at least.
My head has been spinning. As the director of SHOES (a non-profit designed to help these orphans), I have to rethink what we are doing and if we're meeting the actual need, not just the one I was told was there.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Where does my ministry go from here? I'd love to hear from all of you on this.
Maybe I'm the last person on the planet to have figured this out ... I highly doubt it.
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