Somewhere in the world, a child loses a parent every 2.2 seconds. Globally, there are approximately 14 million orphans, with the vast majority (approx 9 million) living in Africa.
These children are among the most vulnerable in the world. They have decreased access to education, healthcare and possibilities for future employment. They are at increased risk of living in poverty, working in exploitative child labour, and becoming victims of abuse.
Orphaned children have no parents to ensure their needs are met, to protect them, or to care for them.
Someone needs to care for these children, we can't leave 14 million children to raise themselves!
Join this petition to show Canadians and the World that you care!
We the undersigned,
Invite you to demonstrate your support for orphaned children during World Orphan Week 2008.
In North America many people are unaware of the magnitude of the orphan crisis - This petition is meant to help change that.
With over 14 million orphans world wide, and 9 million in Africa alone, meaningful steps need to be taken to ensure that these children have a chance for a brighter future.
The orphan crisis in Africa presents an unprecidented humanitarian crisis, where over 2.5 percent of all children literally have NO PARENTS . Often living in a context of poverty, these children need to be given a chance for a better future, and the first step in achieving this is to raise awareness for the issue.
Thank you very much for reading this important letter, and for helping us speard the word about the needs of orphaned children.
Please share this petition with others, and visit the World Orphan Week website at www.worldorphanweek.ca.
