Orphans International

Orphans International

Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) is a charitable organization created to house and educate orphans and abandoned children. In response to the crisis facing orphaned children around the world, former investment bank employee Jim Luce founded Orphans International in 1999. OI's headquarters are in New York City.

Through its network of small "homes" for children, OI provides immediate aid to some of the world's most disadvantaged children. OI operates on an annual budget of less than a half-million dollars. OI houses and educates children orphaned and abandoned after the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka and Indonesia and 2004's Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti.

Contents

OI's history, philosophy and models

OI opened its first home in Sulawesi, Indonesia in 2001.[1] It became active in housing orphans in Aceh, Indonesia; and Galle, Sri Lanka after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.[2][3][4] Beginning in 2008, OI also supports foster care for Tsunami orphans in Sri Lanka by supporting children living with members of their extended families.[5] OI provides tutoring, English classes and jobs training, such as sewing classes and hospitality classes. In 2009, OI also served 27 Aids affected orphans in Moshi, Tanzania.

With the AIDS epidemic, natural disasters, low world health standards and widespread poverty contributing to a global crisis for children, OI's model of "Raising Global Citizens" seeks to make a difference in both the short-term needs of children and the long-term improvement of disadvantaged communities throughout the world by raising children as responsible citizens. OI's mission is interfaith, interracial, international, and intergenerational – that is, it discourages discrimination on the basis of faith, race and nationality and seeks to utilize the experience of senior volunteers. OI seeks to benefit orphans through education and vocational opportunities that are coupled with a nurturing environment, proper nutrition and healthcare. OI also monitors the children's education and provides after school tutoring, computer classes and English classes. OI intends to give each orphan support until graduation with a baccalaureat degree. OI does not place children for adoption, but rather seeks to help them live successfully in their native countries and cultures.

OI's homes: Orphans are referred to OI by local social service agencies. The children are generally preschool age (2–4 years old) when accepted by OI, and the average age of the children in OIs programs was 9 years old as of 2008.[6] OI's foster homes generally have four children per home and a house "parent" who was raised in the local culture and religion.

OI's family care model: In 2008, OI began experimenting with a new extended-family foster care model, which it calls "Family Care", to help extended families in Sri Lanka. There, aunts, uncles and grandparents were offered training and financial support to take care of orphans. Family care allows OIWW to care for twice as many orphans on the same budget, compared with renting, building, staffing, or maintaining an orphanage.

Administration and structure

OIWW sets the global worldview, mission and standards for its project nations. It consists of ten officers. The OI executive office is in New York City. Founder Jim Luce is a director of OIWW. He also founded an American-based fundraising arm, OIA, but OIA split from OIWW in November 2009.[7] The OI staff is assisted by volunteers who help with fundraising and other tasks. Its annual budget is less than a half million dollars.

OI has received donations from over three hundred benefactors from around the world, many of whom have become child sponsors. It receives no government money. OIWW is associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations[8] OI's activities include overseeing a semi-annual World Congress, publishing the e-newsletter OI InterNews,[9] and maintaining a website.[10] OIWW approves global NGO and corporate "Partners for Progress".[11] The sixth anniversary benefit of OI, in October 2007, was held at the home of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary, who entertained the group by singing his song "Puff the Magic Dragon".

Global focus

OI advocates service to humanity and attempts to instill in children an appreciation of both national and global citizenship and both modern technology and traditional arts and crafts. OIWW plans to bring internet connections to all of its projects to expose the children to information from around the world accessible on the internet. Global Advisors to OI include Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, Former President of the United Nation's General Assembly, and Prince Albert of Monaco, The fifth anniversary benefit of OI was held at the United Nations in November 2006.[12]

Notes

References

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Orphans International — Worldwide Orphans International America Contexte général Champs d’action loger et éduquer orphelins et enfants abandonnés Fiche d’identité …   Wikipédia en Français

  • International adoption — International adoption, or intercountry adoption, is a type of adoption in which an individual or couple becomes the legal and permanent parents of a child born in another country. In general, prospective adoptive parents must meet the legal… …   Wikipedia

  • Orphans (quartet) — Orphans is a barbershop quartet that won the 1954 SPEBSQSA international competition. Preceded by Vikings SPEBSQSA International Quartet Champions 1954 Succeeded by Four Hearsemen …   Wikipedia

  • International adoption of South Korean children — The International adoption of South Korean children is a recent historical process triggered initially by casualties of the Korean War after 1953. The initiative was taken by religious organizations in the United States, Australia, and many… …   Wikipedia

  • International adoption —    While collective responsibility for the raising of children (including those who have lost their parents due to war or disease) is common among some of Russia’s ethnic minorities, historically speaking, the tradition of adopting orphans is… …   Historical Dictionary of the Russian Federation

  • International observance — This is not a list of National Days, commemorative days, or days which have some significance in one or a very small number of countries. International observance (also known as international dedication or international anniversary) denotes a… …   Wikipedia

  • international relations — a branch of political science dealing with the relations between nations. [1970 75] * * * Study of the relations of states with each other and with international organizations and certain subnational entities (e.g., bureaucracies and political… …   Universalium

  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights — legend|#b9b9b9|non state parties non signatoriesThe International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from January 3 …   Wikipedia

  • International Watch Company — Infobox Company company name = International Watch Company company company type = Watch Maker foundation = 1868 location = Schaffhausen, Switzerland key people = area served = Worldwide industry = Watch Making products = Watches revenue =… …   Wikipedia

  • International Children's Peace Prize — The International Children’s Peace Prize is awarded annually to a child who has made a significant contribution to advocating children s rights and improving the situation of vulnerable children such as orphans, child labourers and children with… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”