Orphans International
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Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) and Orphans International America (OIA) are charitable organizations created to house and educate orphans and abandoned children. OI was founded by former investment banker Jim Luce in 1999 in response to the crisis facing children around the globe. OI is associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations[1], and its headquarters are in New York City, with additional offices in Lima, Peru. Through its orphanages or "homes" for children in a fast-growing list of countries throughout the world, OI provides immediate aid to the world's most disadvantaged children.
With the AIDS epidemic, natural disasters, low world health standards and widespread poverty contributing to a global crisis for children, OI's model of 'Raising Global Citizens' seeks to make a significant difference in both the short-term needs of children and the long-term improvement of disadvantaged areas throughout the world. OI seeks to benefit children in its homes through education and vocational opportunities that are coupled with a nurturing environment, proper nutrition and healthcare. Each child is given individual attention, with a child-to-adult ratio of 1:3, leading towards graduation and either scholarships for further education or micro-loans for creating small businesses. Children may be sponsored for $600 per year. OI does not place children for adoption, but rather seeks their sponsorship in their native countries.
Orphans International Worldwide is the committee that sets the global worldview, mission and standards for its cooperating organizations in both developing and developed nations, comprised of the leaders of these national organizations. The organization operates through the generosity of over two hundred benefactors from around the world, many of whom have become child or home sponsors. OI Worldwide oversees an annual World Congress, the e-newsletter OI InterNews,[2] and a website.[3] OI Worldwide also approves global NGO and corporate "Partners for Progress".[4]
OI's structure is interfaith, interracial, international, and intergenerational--that is, it discourages discrimination on the basis of faith, race, nationality and age. The children are raised in the local culture and religion. Orphans International advocates service to humanity and attempts to instill in the children an appreciation of both national and global citizenship and both modern technology and traditional arts and crafts. OIWW plans to bring internet connections to all of its homes and inter-connections among the homes to foster a fraternity of graduates. Global Advisors to OI include HE Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa, President of the United Nation's General Assembly, and HSH Prince Albert of Monaco. The Fifth Anniversary Benefit of Orphans International was held at the United Nations on Friday, November 17, 2006.[5]
[edit] References
- New York Post article of April 15, 2005, entitled "Tsunami Saint".
- Luce, Jim Riding the Tiger: The Creation of Orphans International Worldwide 2006.[6] ISSN 1234-5678-910
