Every Child Matters

According to UNICEF, there are 145 million orphans. But what does 145 million look like? Let’s see if we can put it into perspective:

• Only 8 nations have a population greater than 145 million.

• 145 million orphans would fill the Superdome 2,071 times.

• Holding hands, 145 million orphans would circle the globe nearly 5 times.

Still, the best way to count orphans is one at a time. The Bible tells us that God knows our name – He knows your name and He knows the names of every abandoned, nameless baby, the forgotten child, and all of those left utterly alone.

One boy watches his mother, unable to keep down any food, as she wastes away in her bed. “One day,” he says, “I went to greet my mother in the morning and found she was dead.”

One boy lives with his grandmother. She is old, and unable to work. They manage to scrape some potatoes from a small garden, enough to eat a few times each week.

One orphaned teen girl is approached by a man who says he will pay her school fees.

After their parents’ death, one boy drops out of school so his younger siblings can go. He works from early morning until late at night to provide for them.

One girl returns home after her mother’s funeral, only to find she is locked out. Rejected by remaining relatives, she is left alone. She finds refuge in a neighbor’s dog house.

These stories are true, and each of these boys and girls found help at TOUCH.

Your giving makes a difference in children’s lives. One at a time, through sponsor- ship and prayer, children are given a chance. They are fed, cared for, and loved, and they have the promise that they can complete school.

One wants to be a doctor. One wants to be a nurse. One wants to be a pilot. There is a mechanic, a pastor, a teacher, a lawyer, a soldier, an accountant, a farmer. One wants to build a school for orphans.

One got married in December, and is employed as a radio engineer. One is a teacher now.

One . . . is still waiting. You can sponsor a waiting child here, or by calling 804-684-1790.