World Orphan Week (WOW) began in the UK in 2005. It is a week developed to raise awareness for the needs of orphaned and abandoned children around the world. World Orphan Week is a week for groups and individuals to volunteer their time and fundraise to support programs that can support these children in need.[1]
This event is growing in popularity with launches in the UK, the USA and this year in Canada. In the United Kingdom, WOW 2009 took place from February 9-15,[2] and in The United States WOW 2008 took place from October 5-11. SOS Children's Villages - USA is also holding an online video contest called "WOW Us" to promote World Orphan Week 2008.[3] This year, SOS Children's Villages Canada is preparing its first major launch of World Orphan Week in Canada, set for October 2008.[4]
SOS Children's Villages is inviting schools, community groups, individuals and anyone interested to form their own fundraisers for this event.[5]