Orphan Sunday will be marked in more than 50 countries this weekend as a global campaign to highlight the plight of orphans continues to gain momentum.
Organised by the Christian Alliance for Orphans – a coalition of 150 orphan-related organisations, the day was first held in Zambia 11 years ago and has since grown to become a worldwide event.
And the need is clear. According to organisers, there are now more orphans in the world than at any other time in history. Thanks to AIDS and ongoing conflict, it’s estimated that more than 10 per cent of Africa’s population are orphaned children.
Other data shows that in Eastern Europe children growing up in orphanages are 10 times more likely to fall prey to sex trafficking than others while in the US, research suggests 75 per cent of children sexually exploited for commercial purposes had spent time in foster care.
Jodi Jackson Tucker, international director of Orphan Sunday, says children who lack parents are “the number one target for human trafficking and every other exploitation and suffering”.
“But churches are stepping up for these kids in powerful ways across the globe. Orphan Sunday calls more Christians to action.”
The days origins can be traced back to American pastor, Gary Schneider, who was so impacted by the way in which a local church he visited helped care for orphans, that he helped organise the first Orphan Sunday in Zambia.
Events, ranging from concerts and student gatherings to sponsorship drives and special church services, will be held across the world – including in Australia – as part of Orphan Sunday on 3rd November.
For more details, visit www.orphansunday.org.
