Pure Religion | State of the Orphan Child
Pure Religion: The Why & How of Caring for Orphan Children
by Scott Nordstrom
The following is a portion of the State of the Orphan Child chapter in the book I released earlier this year. In Pure Religion you will find stories from my experiences that I hope will somehow encourage you. In this chapter I offer insights that I have gained over the last seventeen years that draws a clearer picture as to the scale of the needs of orphan children around the world.
The plight for millions of children is not acceptable, and if we can serve just one more child, we will make the world a better place.
…According to the United Nations’ UNICEF, there were 143 million orphans in the world, and this data was widely accepted. This 2003 Orphan Statistics data that I downloaded directly from UNICEF in 2005, reported 143,313,100 children (0-17 years of age) orphaned due to all causes in 2003. Also noted was that 12,002,000 of these children were orphaned by AIDS.
What I was able to ascertain from monitoring this data over the first five years of our ministry was that the number of orphaned children was increasing in sub-Saharan Africa while other areas of the world appeared to be static in terms of increases or decreases in the number of orphaned children. The situation in sub-Saharan Africa was driven by the AIDS crisis, but there were other socio-economic variables at work that created disadvantages for children and their families in this part of the world.
Since 2005, I think it would be fair to say that there is increasing disagreement of the needs of orphaned children in our world today. With technological advances and increased mobility around the world, it would seem we would have a stronger understanding of the issues facing children, but our challenges quantifying the need appear to be growing.
In reporting the numbers, some governments (China to name just one) have become less forthcoming with data that would provide us more understanding as to the depth and origin of the needs of orphaned children today.
The other change that has created debate within the world’s governments and institutions is the definition of “orphan.” Yes, the actual definition of what an orphan is, is now up for debate. Good people disagree on this. I don’t believe that the Father is all that concerned about our definitions in this regard, however some people are distressed. Do the scriptures refer to all of us as orphans at one point? Whether we are considering the plight of orphan children today or the number of children in need, there is one thing for certain—there are millions of children that need assistance from somewhere or from someone.
God is inviting us into this story as He comes to the rescue for many of these children with no mom or dad. He is asking you to consider being his hands and feet! You can join us at Global Orphan Relief, and we can journey together if you choose as you pray, volunteer, serve in the field, and or financially support the least of these—the orphaned child.
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Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work to date through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care.
Scott Nordstrom leads GO! today and was a co-founder when we launched in 2005. Scott has served with GO! for 16-years and has been responsible in deploying 163 volunteers on 26 teams to the mission field. He has personally served in DR Congo, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, South Sudan, and Zambia since 2005. Scott has also spoke in the United States, as well as, internationally regarding child welfare and matters of faith, hope, and love.
You may send financial support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Support the Global Orphan Relief Children or you can give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief is a Christian relief agency serving Orphans in need and a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.