Virtual Adoptions

A couple of days ago, I volunteered at a film festival that had the showing of a documentary called STUCK. It was about children and families who are caught in the adoption cycle and the harm it creates. After wards the executive producer- Craig Juntunen spoke. He shared that the problem was political apathy. That faces needed to be put on this problem. That these kids life’s, matter. He talked about filming in 30 different orphanages around the world and how the universal language of an orphan was the same no matter where they were at. The children would look, turn around, and hold up their hands, as if they are saying “hold me”.   Make me feel like I Matter!

 

The average adoption costs $28,000 and it takes on average 33 months to complete. What can you do?

We know that we can make a difference. One person can and does effect change. These children cannot wait for bureaucracy from various governments on both sides of the ocean to get their act together. These children cannot wait till adoption is affordable. These children cannot wait till the adoption process has been streamlined to be made simpler and less extensive in time frames. These children need help now. They need to eat now. They need to go to school now. They need to thrive now. They need family now. How can this be done when adoptions are not allowed in a country of needy orphans?

I think it starts with all of us examining ourselves and focusing on what we can do and not what we can’t do. Adoption is about relationships. Most times that means with a child a family has adopted into their home. But I believe this can be done in another way that allows relationship with a child and provisions for their daily needs. Helping them to grow and become what God has called them to be no matter what home or what land they live in.  This can be done through Virtual Adoptions.

The dictionary states that the word virtual means: Being such practically or in effect, although not in actual fact or name- having the essence or effect but not the appearance or form of. In another words virtual adoption can have much of the same benefits of an adoption to a child only not as we know it in the legal sense. 

Why not help a child in need right where you are at and where they are at? We have the technology in place to be in touch half way across the world now. We can build a relationship and care for an orphan child in need today. 

I have done so for the past 4 years. For a little boy named Courage. I have adopted his brother and sister a few years back however Liberia is currently closed to adoptions which would allow him to unite with them. I can either be upset with indignation or I can be proactive in his life and help him where he is at. So I choose to be involved- now. He is my children’s brother in Liberia. I remember him on Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, his birthday. I pay for him to go to school. I care for his physical needs through food, clothing, and medicines. I buy him things I would buy my other children. Recently, I sent funds for a bike which was bought for him for his birthday. I think of him and pray for him daily.  I will go to Liberia and walk him to school for his first day of preschool this fall.  He has many pictures of us and us of him. We talk on the phone. Our family is committed to him. He knows us. We know him.  This is what I choose to do. And you can too. 

You might ask what is the difference between this and a sponsorship program?  Sponsorship programs ask for your $30 or more a month and they give you a picture of a child and that is that. This is so much more. This is Personal. This is a relationship with a child who needs you in their life and them in yours. Its being involved in a way that does effect this child and you. 

Contact me- I can show you how.

“The Eclipse of Human Potential of an Orphan is neglect”. C.J.