The Apparent Project

Yesterday I visited an orphanage of 15 children whom I estimate to be aged between one and eight years old.  As I watched others interact and play with them I began to reflect (it's not the first time!) on what it would be like growing up in an orphanage.  I began thinking of my Haitian friends who grew up in a similar place.  What was it like for them growing up without parents?

I'm quite good at containing my emotions, but a tear did well up in my eyes as I thought about these children becoming adults. Would they too grow up with scars of rejection?  Would they grow up learning to love and trust others without the fear of losing them? 

According to the founders of the Apparent Project  the majority of orphans in Haiti are not true orphans.  They are children who have been given up by living parents because of extreme poverty.  What a heartbreaking decision for these parents. Can you imagine having no other choice but to give up your child for their survival?

This is why I'm a big fan of the Apparent Project!  I too believe that the best place for a child to grow up is with parents who love them. AP aims to reduce the number of orphans in Haiti by providing employment to parents living in extreme poverty.  Please visit their website and see what they are doing to address the orphan crisis in Haiti.

Here is an excerpt from their mission statement:

Haiti was said to have as many as 500,000 orphans before the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. The vast majority of these "orphans" were actually not true orphans. They were children given up by living parents because of extreme poverty. A history of corruption and inefficiency in the Haitian governments adoption processes has caused orphanages to be overcrowded and short on funding, also creating emotional, physical, and developmental problems for institutionalized children. 

Most orphanages are focused primarily on childcare, without addressing the roots of child abandonment. Unfortunately, many, many orphanages also take in way too many kids way too easily. While the Apparent Project advocates passionately for the adoption of true orphans we also believe that preventing child abandonment by economically empowering Haitian families is the best way to rescue children. This is why we have created opportunities for impoverished parents to earn an income through our artisan program. We train each parent in a specialized skill, such as jewelry making, bookbinding, sewing, or another craft, building relationships along the way.Through addressing educational needs, homelessness, joblessness,nutritional problems, medical needs, and building emotionally and spiritually enriching relationships, we are trying to bring dignity and wholeness to the whole person, strengthening each to be a support and encouragement to others.

This is why we are called the "Apparent Project". We are trying to help mothers and fathers in poverty be A PARENT to their children.

Still looking for that perfect Christmas gift?  Look no more; visit AP.