Sadly, AnnaMarie is not the only orphan in the world who desperately needs to be adopted ASAP. So now I'd like to introduce you to Joseph.
Joseph is 13 years old, and he has to be adopted prior to his birthday in October 2015, or else he ages out and has no hope of ever finding a family. :( Here's info from someone who met him in 2013:
Joseph is an older boy I met this past July who lives in a foster care apartment within his orphanage with two older sisters and three younger siblings. He attends a middle school in the area. Joseph excels in his Art classes and his art is displayed around his foster home and the walls of his bedroom. His foster mom was very proud of his accomplishments and made sure we didn’t leave without seeing his artwork first! Joseph seemed a little shy but we were told he does hope to be adopted. I imagine he would smile a lot more after some braces. He may be a little self conscious of his teeth but his face lights up when he talks about his artwork and I was able to catch a small shy smile.
His face lights up when he talks about his artwork?! How cute is that?! And of course he hopes to be adopted. Look at his sweet face -- and how good his artwork is!
Some stats I've shared before, but they amaze me every time I read them:
- Every 2.2 seconds another orphan ages out with no family to belong to and no place to call home. These studies also show that 60% of the girls become prostitutes and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals.
- In Russia and the Ukraine, studies have shown that 10% – 15% of these children commit suicide before they reach age eighteen.
- 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
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
- Matthew 18:2-5
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