ADOPTION …..Is it an option?
Those who know me
know that I love children. I wouldn’t spoil them however I do believe children should
be well behaved, but I do love kids.
I find them
adorable and I love their perspective on things and life.
However not all
kids have that privilege. Ever since I learnt about adoption, I was sure when I
grew up I would get married, have kids and also adopt kids. There are many
children without proper homes and I’d love to be able to help in that way.
So I re-watched a movie I watched as a child
called Orphan Train. I
remember how I empathized with the children in the movie. I couldn’t imagine
not being wanted. The most heart breaking scene was the teenage boy who was
hanged for stealing. The society at the time preferred to get rid of children
more than help them.
I have been privileged
to come from a big family that care and love me and I have seen some of my
relatives without parents being taken care of and being fostered by other
relatives. It is basically a crime not to finish school in our family. We
ensure people go beyond high school and can fend for themselves after they
finish whatever course they do.
Our family isn’t
perfect but you will know that you are loved.
I know in our
African society we were very [and still are in some communities] very community
based and we cared for each other.
I do strongly
believe it is society’s responsibility to care for needy children and orphaned
children.
Orphans are children
that are victims of poverty, vice, crime and degradation
That live a life
of neglect and suffering
After watching
the movie I realized that the brave people who started the orphan train
movement actually paved way for the modern day foster care system. Also the
children’s rights cause it did not exist at the time.
Children have a right
to a wholesome family environment. Not every child will be born in such an environment
and it is very sad that a child has to start to figure out life even before
they understand what life is.
Life before
foster care meant
Abandoned
children in the streets, starved or dying of disease, deprived of family and
education.
They were often looked
down upon by society and seen as thieves
The Orphan train
movement in the US started as a way to rescue these kind of children from such
situations. Here is a link to the 10 minute documentary
We have a lot to
be grateful for, that is for those of us who were raised in good families. Let’s
extend that grace to other children. We wouldn’t want to be all alone, cold, sick
and starving. Left to fend for ourselves and eat trash or leftovers if we are
lucky.
Let’s do the best we can to extend our hand of
help not just to kids but the needy.
I will end with this
passage of scripture
Matthew 25:35-40 says: 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a
drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared
for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord,
when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something
to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked
and give you clothing? 39 When
did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[c] you were doing it to me!’
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