Week Six of Put Children First campaign highlights struggles of orphaned children - #putchildrenfirst

Caring for the vulnerable, orphaned, and abandoned children of the world is the main focus of SOS Children’s Villages, and this week’s theme. On every continent are children who have to experience challenges that no one should ever have to go through: surviving alone, living on the streets, scrounging for food and shelter, working for a pittance, sometimes even having to care for their younger siblings as well.

Even when they do not face this extreme, the lives of orphaned children are difficult. They are often taken in by a family member or neighbour, who may not have enough resources to adequately provide for them; or they are placed in institutional care, which can hinder their development.

When the time comes to leave the care system – which in some countries is at fourteen or fifteen years old – the transition is often rough. Without a good education, a permanent home, a sense of direction in life, or support services, youth can end up struggling with unemployment, drugs, and even involvement in crime.

The best way to reduce these cases is prevention: helping families to earn an income and learn how to improve their health will, in the long run, prevent children from being orphaned or abandoned. Strengthening families is crucial to improve the well-being of at-risk children.

Even children who have lost their parents should have the opportunity to live in a loving, supportive environment, whether it is with their extended relatives, with friends, or with an entirely new family. For the next five days for week six of the Put Children First campaign, we will be discussing the factors leading to orphaned and abandoned children, and the best ways to care for them.

For more of our Put Children First campaign, please follow our Twitter and Facebook. Keep others in the loop by using the hashtag #putchildrenfirst!

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.