International (MNN) ― In Africa, current figures from the United Nations show there are over 80 million orphans. 12 million of those children lost their parents to AIDS.
It's a devastating loss, but "the worst is yet to come," warns a report issued by the UN Children's Fund. That reports predicts that by 2010, half of the orphans in the continent will be orphaned due to AIDS.
The needs are overwhelming. Governments are trying to respond but have varying rates of success. Yet, there's a resource that's available, and it's largely untapped: the body of Christ.
James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Orphan Sunday is the catalyst bringing believers and widows and orphans together. The result of the interaction is awareness and support.
Roger Thomas with AMG International says this kind of support goes a long way in child sponsorship programs like theirs. AMG teams are serving the spiritual and physical needs of children and families through 77 childcare centers, as well as facilitating sponsorship of over 5,300 children in 14 countries.
According to AMG, fully-funded child development programs address the full range of a child's needs. Nutritious meals are served daily. Medical needs are addressed so that physical problems are no longer a hindrance to the child's development. Clothes are provided as well. Children are taught social skills and problem-solving strategies, and receive instruction in personal cleanliness and how that relates to health.
School-aged children are either enrolled in a public school or attend AMG's school at the childcare center. For those in public schools, AMG helps provide money for uniforms, books, transportation, and school fees.
After school, the children return to the center where they receive a meal, tutoring if necessary, and attend a Bible class. Where possible, AMG makes scholarships available for children with the desire and ability to continue on to college, technical school, or a Bible institute.
Not all of the children coming to their door are orphans, but Thomas says, "If somebody brings that child, there's somebody there that cares, at least to some degree, about that child. It may be a relative that is interested, but can't afford to care for yet another child, but they're at least interested in that child. And if we can come alongside them, we can provide for that child."
A sponsorship is literally the difference between life and death. Thomas explains that aside from food, medicine and education, "We're able then to give the children Bible studies and teach them Bible, and then to have them memorize portions of God's Word. They then share with their parents, and they come back to Bible studies, to church. And before you know it, the child is transformed, the community is transformed, and a church is planted."
Sponsoring a child through AMG involves commitment to a monthly investment of $28. Click here if you can help.
