 Children growing up in foster care and orphanages – government run and private ones -- are at great risk. These are the forgotten children. These are the children Kidsave serves.
Without individual care, attention and stimulation, children do not develop normally. They develop learning disabilities, they have growth delays and they struggle with the psychological trauma of losing their parents – and the neglect or abuse that led to that horrible end.
Kids cannot raise themselves. Without help, the odds are against them growing into productive citizens – and the loss to society is devastating. Many children without parents don’t finish high school, they end up homeless and in our prisons. They are prime candidates for trafficking, prostitution, terrorists and becoming child soldiers. The loss of human potential is incalculable.
With support, most of these children are can learn and succeed. They have tremendous ability to be contributing members of society. This is the work of Kidsave -- to create change – so forgotten orphanage and foster kids are found -- and connected to families and caring adults.
Growing up without stable relationships affects children of ALL ages.
- Infants lacking touch, stimulation, and nurturance fail to thrive resulting in physical, emotional, and intellectual impairments, or even death. Lack of coordination, hyperactivity, developmental delays, language impairment, and attachment difficulties will follow them throughout life; all due to not having a caring adult hold and love them during their first few months of life.
- Toddlers and school-age children experiencing abuse, abandonment, or neglect fail to develop a crucial sense of trust and safety, causing impairments in their ability to form and maintain relationships as adults. The toll emotionally on these precious children manifests itself in their behavior, many times causing teachers to label them as “problem children” and following them throughout school.
The longer children live in institutions or foster homes without a stable, loving adult connection, the bleaker
their future becomes.
- 1 in 10 will commit suicide
- Less than half will finish high school
- 1 in 3 will be homeless
- 50% will end up in jail
- 1 in 4 will become parents before the age of 20, and their children will likely end up in orphanages or foster homes
- Many will turn to drug trafficking or prostitution to survive
Many of these children are overlooked for adoption because they are “older” (more than six-years old) and parents believe they don’t want to be, or can’t be adopted. It is not okay.
Read More in Our Special Report Violent Kids: The Case for Family |
