HELP ORPHANS AND ABANDONED CHILDREN (3/20)

Orphans and abandoned children are in desperate need of care. Over 140 million children under the age of 18 in developing nations have lost one or both of their parents. Some parents are unable to care for their children or are pressured by government regulations to abandon their offspring.

With no one to provide shelter or care, orphaned children are often left to wander the streets and scavenge for food. The lucky ones will be admitted to local orphanages — modest buildings often suffering from understaffing and disrepair. Many of these orphaned and abandoned children become undernourished and will not receive an education. They will grow up without ever feeling loved.

Babies sent to orphanages at a young age are in danger of acquiring developmental problems. In order to develop normally, young children need regular interaction with other people. Most children learn how to talk and walk by playing with their parents. However, orphanages often lack the resources to give children a normal childhood.Orphaned babies may lie alone in a crib without being spoken to or played with for days. Toddlers may be strapped in to chairs and left alone for hours. Without interaction during this critical period, many orphans never learn to talk, walk, or interact with other people. Most of these neglected orphans will never be adopted — instead, they are destined live their adult lives alone in mental asylums.

Older abandoned children that are not admitted to orphanages live desperate lives on the streets. Abandoned children beg or steal food and find shelter wherever they can. Police often view street orphans as a menace to the community rather than minors that need their protection.

Orphans and abandoned children in developing nations often have no one to advocate for them. They are regularly abused physically and sexually, with little hope of recourse. Many street orphans will grow-up to lives of prostitution or imprisonment.

You can make a difference by spending your next vacation helping orphaned and abandoned children. Play with children in orphanages, teach street children, and have an experience you'll never forget.