| For a moment, just stop and think about this one | | | | do something if you are reading this sentence. You |
| factor; the amount of increase of the aids epidemic | | | | have already become aware that there is such a |
| and the problem with drug addiction. With more and | | | | problem. My first suggestion would be to do an |
| more outbreak of the aids virus and increase in drug | | | | internet search on this subject; don't just take my |
| addiction; there is a growth in the orphan population | | | | word on it here. See for yourself, read some of the |
| of epic proportion. Just in speaking with individuals | | | | testimonies from individuals just like you that have |
| about this issue on an ongoing basis, I have | | | | experienced this tragedy first hand. |
| discovered that most people are unaware of the | | | | Since I am not affiliated with any one organization |
| amount of parentless children through-out the world. | | | | that is working to provide some kind of solution, I |
| This is a daunting figure, so hold onto your hat; there | | | | am not including any links here. I am writing this article |
| are over one hundred and forty-three million orphans | | | | to spark awareness because, people just really need |
| through out the world today. The current statistic is, | | | | to know and we, the world, need to put our heads |
| every 18 seconds; there is another child that | | | | together and work to come up with a solution. I am |
| becomes parentless. So, where are we headed with | | | | an adoptive mother of two beautiful girls. This was |
| such a rapid growing problem? Let's just brain storm | | | | not an international adoption but, right here in the US. |
| about this for a moment. We all know that children | | | | I have to be truthful with everyone here, even being |
| left without a loving, nurturing environment have the | | | | involved with the foster care system as a treatment |
| odds stacked against them in turning out to be | | | | care provider for over twelve years; I was totally |
| happy productive members of society. Well let us do | | | | unaware that the population of parentless children |
| some math here, with 3.3 eighteen second periods in | | | | was of such a mega proportion. I don't know what it |
| one minute and one thousand, four hundred and | | | | is, maybe just an unconscious choice not to see. My |
| forty minutes in a day; that produces four thousand, | | | | eyes have been opened but, truly, I don't know |
| seven hundred and fifty-two orphans every single | | | | what the answer is? For years, people have given |
| day. | | | | money to support orphanages in depressed countries. |
| With 365 days in a year, that means that every | | | | Organizations have brought them food, clothing, |
| year, there are one million, seven hundred and | | | | school supplies, and the list goes on... Truthfully, |
| thirty-four thousand, four hundred and eighty children | | | | maybe this is why we have grown so numb to the |
| that become parentless. But, this figure is somewhat | | | | issue? |
| hypothec since this is a growing epidemic because of | | | | Not to mention, we are all caught up in our own |
| the numbers of increase in drug use and aids virus. | | | | struggles and daily activities. But especially, to those |
| Alright, so the numbers play in here but, back to the | | | | of you reading this that have children of your own, |
| brainstorm. If this is not addressed, just imagine what | | | | what will society look like for them if some solution is |
| kind of an impact this will eventually have on society. | | | | not found? The thought of nearly two million children |
| I know, you are wondering about now; what can | | | | being added to the already daunting numbers of |
| one person do about such a massive problem. Well, I | | | | parentless children is for me; down right frightening! |
| guess we could all just stick our heads in the sand, | | | | This article is written truly on the basis of heightening |
| pretend it isn't there and hope it will all go away on | | | | awareness of this growing problem. I know that the |
| it's own. Or, we can conclude that there is nothing | | | | internet has become the great link around the world |
| one person can do, leave it up to government. | | | | so, I thought I would toss this out to the masses in |
| Well just a little insert here, how much do you hear | | | | hope that maybe together we could come up with a |
| government address this issue, well that's how much | | | | true solution. Obviously, throwing money at the |
| they are doing about it! Since it is said, "Children are | | | | problem has not been its resolve. |
| our future" what does that lead us to conclude about | | | | Or, have we not given enough money, I really don't |
| the picture we would view of the world, ten, | | | | know? My plea to you is, do some research on this |
| twenty, thirty...years from now? It makes me shutter | | | | subject and talk with your friends and family and |
| to think of it, like a snowball effect; greater numbers | | | | really brainstorm for a solution. When humanity unites, |
| of people with drug problems, increased amounts in | | | | we have strength. When you stop to think about it, |
| the numbers of infected individuals with the aids | | | | the solution to any problem is strength. Whether it's |
| virus, increase in crime...where are we headed? | | | | spiritual, emotional, physical or financial, any one of |
| Well, I believe that the first step is awareness. Since | | | | those areas lacking strength can propose a problem. |
| most individuals I speak with are unaware of this | | | | Well, not to get into another philosophical oration |
| problem that tells me that there needs to be a | | | | here, the bottom line is to become aware. Tell |
| campaign of awareness. So what can you do as one | | | | everyone you know to become aware and let's |
| single individual? First off, you already have begun to | | | | work on coming up with a solution! |