Hope, Celebration time, hope for the living, celebration,


Hope What Difference Could You Make To A Child's Life? Are you aware of the difference you could make but have not made? In the twenty-first century, adoption and fostering is nothing new. What is striking is how many of us have little or no knowledge at all about what they both involve. From state to state and country to country the notion is the same, although procedures, requirements and legalities might differ. We all have dreams, aspirations and desires but has it ever crossed your mind that a child who has been orphaned, separated from parents at birth, abandoned or taken into care for no fault of their own, would have no form of aspiration, let alone dreams if you do not help? Why do I need to help? In 2009 reports suggest there were about 140 million orphans worldwide. With the devastating earthquake in Haiti, about a thousand children have been added to that number. Quite a number of these children live with foster families, but some live in children’s homes and orphanages. Living in many different homes or foster homes has an emotional knock-on-effect on these young lives. First, they have no one to look up to, no one who has taken up the role of parenthood, to be an overseer of their affairs, apart from a social worker or solicitor as the case may be. Secondly, such children are likely to be withdrawn, have emotional and attachment disorders or lack appropriate interpersonal skills that would impede them from relating effectively at school, health wise and in the society as a whole. Some children are likely to be qualified for adoption, while others will have to live temporarily with foster families. While some children might need permanent foster homes, for others it will be a replacement home after they leave the foster home. All these are essential to the children to enable them live as part of a family; which no doubt to a degree, could give them a sense of belonging and a lease of hope in life. Are you willing to help? Do you believe you have what it takes to get involved? Are you aware of the difference you could make? When distressing occurrences like the one in Haiti happen, we all act on the spur of the moment; we become emotionally attached; wanting to do something. To that effect, we dip our hands into our pockets, wallets, purses or reach for our credit cards to sacrifice a few pennies to help. This is an excellent way to show we empathise but the aftermath of the situation we hear nothing about. I am aware there are misconceptions about fostering and adoption that creates fear. To alleviate fear, have your many questions answered or for support and encouragement, please contact me.Today I am not asking you to donate money but instead, I urge you to consider offering what money cannot buy which is your heart. Take a child into your heart. Have you ever considered your family being a foster family? In the US around 500,000 children are in the foster care system. Similarly, on March 31 2009 about 44,200 children in the UK were living with foster families. [Fostering network] Despite this number, there is still a shortage of about 8,200 foster families in the UK. Could your family be the next foster family? Around November 2009, it was said there were about 140 million orphans worldwide; but with the devastating situation in Haiti about a week ago, not less than a thousand children have been added to that number. How do you feel about that? Do you feel concerned? Could your family be the next foster family? Thousands of children are never going to have the opportunity your child/children are ever going to have unless you do something There are many children who do not know and are never ever likely to know what it is to experience the love of a family except you get involved. Do you know there are thousands of children who view Christmas as a time of torment rather than a time of happiness? Do you know thousands and thousands of children are never, ever going to experience the love of Christ except you show them? What would you do if you know you could be the next adopter or foster carer? I have just told you, so what will you do? What difference could your input make in a child’s life? It will put a smile on a child’s face. Provide a safe place and offer hope. Help a child to develop confidence and aspire. It is just that simple so imagine what a child loses because you could not help. A Step by Step Guide: Fostering and adoption are vital to the existence of a child so expect to undergo a series of interviews, tests and rigorous searches. You will agree with me that in this day and age it is the appropriate thing to do as we certainly do not want these children to get into wrong homes. Make some concrete decisions about fostering or adoption and be certain it is something you want to do. Contact your local authority or county; search for relevant agencies that can be of assistance as you embark on this journey. You have made the right choice so do not be deterred if your enquiries are not being responded to as soon as you would like. Do not be discouraged but have courage to follow your decisions through. Complete the Home Study. Decide on the child/children you would like to offer your home to. Are you still unsure or you have made up your mind to take the next step, contact me and l be willing to offer you any support required and encourage you all the way.

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