Orphan Crisis in South America

27
Feb

If you are tuned into the news, you are aware of the current political and economic crisis in Venezuela. The country is in economic downfall as the people of Venezuela fight for democracy and try to unseat President Nicolás Maduro.  The ongoing crisis has created a shortage of food and medicine in the country, leaving store shelves empty of basic necessities. The people of Venezuela are starving, and it is being reported that on average Venezuelans have lost 24 pounds each since the food shortages began in 2015. Ninety percent of the population is living in poverty. The current state of affairs in Venezuela is not only a humanitarian crisis and an outrage, it is catastrophic and sadly those most affected are the children of Venezuela.

Sadly, while this ongoing crisis continues and the most vulnerable suffer, children in need of forever families exit in all countries, including Latin American countries. UNICEF reported that in Latin America alone, 10 million children are considered unparented orphans. Those hoping to adopt a child in need in this region have several options such as Peru and Colombia.

MLJ’s Peru program provides options for families wanting to adopt from Peru. Peru’s central authority focuses on children in these three groups:

  • Children age 6 and older
  • Children with medical needs
  • Sibling groups of all ages

MLJ’s Mexico program is another option if your heart is lead to Central America. Children eligible for intercountry adoption in Mexico include:

  • Children ages 6 and older
  • Siblings groups of all ages
  • Children with medical needs

MLJ also assists families with relative adoptions from Mexico.

Interest in exploring Colombia? Nightlight Christian Adoptions offers a program in Colombia that also includes a hosting program, with children eligible for adoption ages seven and older, sibling groups and children with medical needs.

As we watch the unfolding human misery south of our border, there is something you can do to help a child in need. Adoption is the best protection for these children in need of families. Please contact us today for additional information!

 

(Newsweek https://www.newsweek.com/venezuelans-are-losing-lot-weight-amid-money-crisis-816886)

Photo Credit

Sonja Brown works as the International Program Director for MLJ Adoptions’ programs in Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and Samoa. Sonja is also proud to work directly with our Individualized Country Program families who are adopting from countries where no adoption service providers currently operate.