The latest UNICEF numbers for 2012 indicate that there are an estimated 153,000,000 orphans worldwide. Some of these orphans have lost one parent, some both, and some are “virtual” orphans that have been turned out onto the streets by their families, but all are vulnerable and in need of help. Without assistance these orphans continue in the cycle of poverty, HIV/AIDS, trafficking, prostitution and slavery that haunts developing countries. By getting involved with World Orphans you can help break this cycle, put a child back in a family, and put him or her on the road to success.
How Many Orphans Are in The US
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UNICEF and global partners define an “orphan” as a child who has lost one or both parents.
Therefore, of the 153 million children they classify as orphans, only 15 million have lost both parents. The majority of orphans are living with a surviving parent, grandparent, or other family member. 95% of all orphans are over the age of 5.
Every 15 SECONDS, another child becomes an AIDS orphan in Africa
Every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans
Every YEAR 2,102,400 more children become orphans (in Africa alone)
153,000,000 Orphans in the world today spend an average of 10 years in an orphanage or foster home
Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but…
Every YEAR 14,050,000 children still grow up as orphans and AGE OUT of the system
Every DAY 38,493 children AGE OUT
Every 2.2 SECONDS, another orphan child AGES OUT with no family to belong to and no place to call home
In Ukraine and Russia 10% -15% of children who age out of an orphanage commit suicide before age 18.
60% of the girls are lured into prostitution. 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
Many of these children accept job offers that ultimately result in their being sold as slaves. Millions of girls
are sex slaves today, simply because they were unfortunate enough to grow up as orphans.
Reliable statistics are difficult to find, even the sources often list only estimates, and street children are
rarely included. But even if these figures are exaggerated by double, it is still an unacceptable tragedy that
over a Million children would still become orphans every year, and every year 7 Million children would still
grow to adulthood as orphans with no one to belong to and no place to call home. They are totally
vulnerable and easily fall prey to predators and slave recruiters.
The disastrous outcomes of most children who age out of institutional care is evidence that these
children don’t know the meaning of love, and are unable to comprehend God’s love. Receiving Jesus Christ
makes no sense and too many of them will never have a chance to become adopted children of God.
The Christian Response
The Christian solution for this tragedy is to give orphan children the good news they really long to hear:
The Gospel of Adoption
The good news that orphan children need to hear is not only the fact that they will be adopted by a
loving family, but also the good news that Jesus Christ died on the cross to make it possible for them to
become adopted children of God. Our adoption by God is the ultimate expression of His love, and was the
ultimate purpose of Jesus’ life on earth and death on the cross. This is truly the Gospel of Adoption, and it is
written in Galatians 4:4-5 and John 1:12
If orphan children never experience a family’s love, how can we expect them to comprehend God’s love?
Adoption by a Christian family is the best way for orphan children to become adopted children of God. Not
all are called to adopt, but anyone can love and minister to orphan children by helping other families adopt.