In the world of adoption, numbers swirl like leaves that have fallen to the ground in autumn. The numbers are staggering and the innocent faces that lie beneath these numbers are heartbreaking. In the U.S. alone, statistics show 400,540 children are living without permanent and loving families. Worldwide, 17.8 million children have lost both parents. Orphans number 153 million children worldwide who have either lost one or both parents. These numbers are staggering but they do not include the vast number of children living on the streets, exploited for labor, children who are victims of trafficking or those children participating in armed groups. It is likely that global orphan statistics significantly underestimate the number of orphans worldwide and are missing many children who are among the most vulnerable and most in need of a family.
For children left behind, who survive institutionalized life and age out of an orphanage, their futures are bleak. With little or no education these children grow into adulthood and look forward to a life of crime, poverty and victimization just to survive. Those of us in the adoption community know these numbers, but more importantly we have seen the faces of these children and we know what a difference a family can make in the lives of these children. These statistics are not just numbers; they are children in desperate need of a family.
While, it is important for all of us in the adoption community who are concerned about the welfare of children without families to know these numbers and to understand the stories behind the numbers, it is imperative that we remember the most important number of all. It only takes
one caring and compassionate individual or family to
transform the life of an orphan. It takes only
one caring and compassionate individual or family to make a difference in the life of one child. Every child is important and precious and while these numbers are staggering we can make a difference one child at a time. We can make a difference
one child,
one family at a time.
Are you the one to provide sustenance to a hungry child and stop their pangs of hunger? Are you the one that can provide the stability and love needed for a child to succeed in school and succeed in life? Are you the one that can provide a child with their first real taste of a life embraced and loved by a family? Are you the one to look into the sullen eyes of a child in need and know this child will no longer be in need? Are you the one to assure one child that someone cares and loves them?
If you are the one, then MLJ Adoptions has a wonderful opportunity for you during the months of June and July. During these two months, we will be waiving the application fee for all families who take that first step and submit an adoption application with us. All families who decide they can make a difference in the life of a child and submit an adoption application in June and July may do so at no cost.
So go ahead and ask yourself this question. Are you the one?
Start your adoption process today and make a difference in the life of a child. Let’s make a difference together, one child, one family at a time.
For more information about MLJ Adoptions’ international adoption programs and how you can make a difference for one child, please click here.
MLJ Adoptions is a Non-Profit, Hague-Accredited adoption service provider located in Indianapolis, Indiana, working in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Isles. We are passionate about serving children in need.
