Statistics for American children in the foster care system

Of all youth aging out of the foster care system, national statistics indicate:

56% are unemployed and face poverty within two to four years.

They represent 70% of all homeless youth.

They constitute 88% of incarcerated youth and young adults.

40% receive welfare within two to four years,

40% do not graduate from high school.

60% of teenage girls will have a baby within two years.

statistics courtesy of ChildrenAwaitingParents.org

The fate of orphans....

Orphan Statistics

It is estimated there are between 143 million and 210 million orphans worldwide (recent UNICEF report.) The current population of the United States is just a little over 300 million… to give you an idea of the enormity of the numbers… (The current population of Russia is 141 million)

Every day 5,760 more children become orphans 2,102,400 more children become orphans every year in Africa alone.

Every 15 seconds, another child in Africa becomes an AIDS orphan There are an estimated 14 million AIDS orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa (a number higher than the total of every under-eighteen year old in Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Ireland combined) This figure is estimated to reach 18 million orphans in Africa alone by 2010 (only two and a half years away) 8 out of 10 children orphaned by AIDS lives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Approximately 250,000 children are adopted annually, but… Each year 14, 505, 000 children grow up as orphans and age out of the system by age sixteen.

Each day 38,493 orphans age out.

Every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home.

In Russia and the Ukraine, studies have shown that 10% – 15% of these children commit suicide before they reach age eighteen. These studies also show that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.

Another Russian study reported that of the 15,000 orphans aging out of state-run institutions every year, 10% committed suicide, 5,000 were unemployed, 6,000 were homeless and 3,000 were in prison within three years…

special thanks to Skyward Journey

While I'm in this holding pattern....

... waiting on God I have been doing research on the plight of girls in this messed up world we live in. Just recently a dear friend and I opened a SafeHouse in India. It is for girls in danger of being sold into prostitution and for street children who have escaped from child labor or have been abandoned or thrown out. There are 14 girls and boys in the house now. Out of all the children in the house the girls that are doomed to prostitution are the one's who need help the most. In India some girls are born into brothels and some girls are sold by their parents or relatives into prostitution. Once done their life expectancy diminishes greatly as they succumb quickly to AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and despair.
I came across the girleffect website last night. It offers practical solutions for the serious problems girls have to face. It challenged me greatly and I was inspired and encouraged to continue the work that Abha and I have started. Pray for my Princess sister Abha and I for we are "in the trenches" in our quest to save these children!

The Promise

Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your (children) from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, Give up! and to the south, Keep not back. Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth-- Even everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, whom I have made. Isaiah 43:5-7

This is the promise that I hold on to. This is the promise that goes with the call that Heavenly Father has on my life. I am learning to wait on Him. The learning to wait is the hard part. I want everything to move right along-- quickly. Right now I am in a holding pattern and I am praying that I will be patient. I have this promise and it keeps me, and gives me hope, gives me purpose!

Aboout the house...

I searched my heart about the house and I prayed a different prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to give me what He thought best for me. I found out that the house I previously wanted is in an area with too many restrictions from a Home Owners Association. I do not want to live like that. I want to plant gardens and have animals for the children. Farm animals like, horses, llama, alpaca, sheep and goats along with dogs and cats. A place with restrictions will not work. I was talking things over with Jesus and he reminded me of my hearts desire to have a small farm. My mother has her heart set on a place where she can garden in peace. It's settled, I am looking for something else. I am rejoicing for the people who decided to buy that fine house. They don't want farm gardens and farm animals. The gazelle walk past nearly every day so they will enjoy the wild animals. I on the other hand will be happy at the farm. Funny how we forget about our true heart desires. Thank you Jesus for reminding me.

Itsy Bitsy Spider and blessings!

I went to the Itsy Bitsy Spider children's resale shop and found two play dresses in almost new condition for $8.32 a piece. Now how is that for a blessing? I know Heavenly Father is looking out for me and these children. I am so happy. I found that little shop and I found treasure. I also bought a Ralph Lauren polo dress for Sarah, $5.97 and an Old Navy pant set for Hannah, $6.46 and a Carter's dress set for princess baby for $1.98. I paid less for all of these outfits then I would have paid for one play dress ordered from the Hanna Andersson website. I struck gold! I am not doubting that this journey that I am on is planned and orchestrated by someone bigger then me. I feel greatly loved. Father thinks of everything!

Playdresses for Hannah and Sarah

I found the cutest little play dresses at Hanna Andersson.com . I think Hanna and Sarah will be adorable in these outfits. The dresses come in 4 different colors and 2 styles . You can buy bike shorts to match. Good for little girls who love to climb trees! It is nice to find a store that still has modest clothes for little girls.

I love maps!

The first map is a map of India, Asia ,and Russia, etc. My children will come from orphanages located in places on this map. The second map is a map of the route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. One day I want to ride the train across Siberia from Bejing China to St. Petersburg Russia. What an adventure that will be!

Hannah and Sarah

I want to bring two little girls out of Russia. I will name them Hannah and Sarah. I want to adopt them from a preschool orphanage. The children are moved from the baby orphanage at around 4 years of age and sent to a preschool orphanage where they remain till 6 or 7 years old. Then it is on to the school age orphanage which can be a very bad place especially for girls. I want to bring Hannah and Sarah out and tell their story and make people aware that just sitting here in our nice houses in America and shedding a few tears is not going to improve conditions for these children. I believe that to attack this problem in a big way we must go to Russia and open safe homes for orphan children run by compassionate people who absolutely love Jesus and all children. I do not believe that the foster care system is the answer. Paying people to house children brings out elements of society that should not be allowed to care for animals. Why do we trust them with precious, impressionable, children? We need to get serious about the business of improving conditions for orphans. I am tired of sitting on my hands and doing nothing.

photo courtesy of mayrussian7

Sleeping princess baby...

My hope: one day I'm flying to Russia and getting on the Trans-Siberian Railway and I 'm going to get my princess baby from an orphanage somewhere in Siberia. My heart will be full of joy and wonder and happiness beyond measure! One day I'm flying to Russia and I'm getting on the Trans-Siberian Railway...!