For a moment, just stop and think about this one factor; the amount of increase of the aids epidemic and the problem with drug addiction. With more and more outbreak of the aids virus and increase in drug addiction; there is a growth in the orphan population of epic proportion.
Just in speaking with individuals about this issue on an ongoing basis, I have discovered that most people are unaware of the amount of parentless children through-out the world. This is a daunting figure, so hold onto your hat; there are over one hundred and forty-three million orphans through out the world today. The current statistic is, every 18 seconds; there is another child that becomes parentless.
So, where are we headed with such a rapid growing problem? Let's just brain storm about this for a moment. We all know that children left without a loving, nurturing environment have the odds stacked against them in turning out to be happy productive members of society.
Well let us do some math here, with 3.3 eighteen second periods in one minute and one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes in a day; that produces four thousand, seven hundred and fifty-two orphans every single day. With 365 days in a year, that means that every year, there are one million, seven hundred and thirty-four thousand, four hundred and eighty children that become parentless.
But, this figure is somewhat hypothec since this is a growing epidemic because of the numbers of increase in drug use and aids virus. Alright, so the numbers play in here but, back to the brainstorm. If this is not addressed, just imagine what kind of an impact this will eventually have on society.
I know, you are wondering about now; what can one person do about such a massive problem. Well, I guess we could all just stick our heads in the sand, pretend it isn't there and hope it will all go away on it's own. Or, we can conclude that there is nothing one person can do, leave it up to government. Well just a little insert here, how much do you hear government address this issue, well that's how much they are doing about it!
Since it is said, “Children are our future” what does that lead us to conclude about the picture we would view of the world, ten, twenty, thirty…years from now?
It makes me shutter to think of it, like a snowball effect; greater numbers of people with drug problems, increased amounts in the numbers of infected individuals with the aids virus, increase in crime…where are we headed?
Well, I believe that the first step is awareness. Since most individuals I speak with are unaware of this problem that tells me that there needs to be a campaign of awareness.
So what can you do as one single individual? First off, you already have begun to do something if you are reading this sentence. You have already become aware that there is such a problem. My first suggestion would be to do an internet search on this subject; don't just take my word on it here. See for yourself, read some of the testimonies from individuals just like you that have experienced this tragedy first hand.
Since I am not affiliated with any one organization that is working to provide some kind of solution, I am not including any links here. I am writing this article to spark awareness because, people just really need to know and we, the world, need to put our heads together and work to come up with a solution.
I am an adoptive mother of two beautiful girls. This was not an international adoption but, right here in the US. I have to be truthful with everyone here, even being involved with the foster care system as a treatment care provider for over twelve years; I was totally unaware that the population of parentless children was of such a mega proportion. I don't know what it is, maybe just an unconscious choice not to see. My eyes have been opened but, truly, I don't know what the answer is? For years, people have given money to support orphanages in depressed countries. Organizations have brought them food, clothing, school supplies, and the list goes on…
Truthfully, maybe this is why we have grown so numb to the issue? Not to mention, we are all caught up in our own struggles and daily activities. But especially, to those of you reading this that have children of your own, what will society look like for them if some solution is not found? The thought of nearly two million children being added to the already daunting numbers of parentless children is for me; down right frightening!
This article is written truly on the basis of heightening awareness of this growing problem. I know that the internet has become the great link around the world so, I thought I would toss this out to the masses in hope that maybe together we could come up with a true solution.
Obviously, throwing money at the problem has not been its resolve. Or, have we not given enough money, I really don't know? My plea to you is, do some research on this subject and talk with your friends and family and really brainstorm for a solution. When humanity unites, we have strength. When you stop to think about it, the solution to any problem is strength. Whether it's spiritual, emotional, physical or financial, any one of those areas lacking strength can propose a problem. Well, not to get into another philosophical oration here, the bottom line is to become aware. Tell everyone you know to become aware and let's work on coming up with a solution!
