What is World Orphan Week?

World Orphan Week takes place between 4th -11th March each year to highlight the number of orphaned children around the world growing up alone, with nothing and no-one to care for them.

The awareness and funds raised through World Orphan Week enables SOS Children to change the lives of these vulnerable children to ensure they grow up with the love, care and security of a family.

World Orphan Week is an opportunity for you to be part of this change.

Why is World Orphan Week important?

Poverty, disease, natural disasters and conflict are breaking families apart, leaving children increasingly at risk.

All around the world, when children lose the care of their parents, families step in to help. However extended families, already overstressed and overwhelmed, are struggling to cope.

Children are losing their first line of protection – their parents – and the impact of orphanhood is huge.

Orphaned children are at higher risk of severe malnutrition, high mortality rates, lower levels of school attendance, and increased likelihood of child labour, that result from lack of parental care.

Not only have these children had to suffer the difficulty of losing their parents, but they are more likely to be subjected to abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

AIDS orphans

Among the leading causes of orphanhood is HIV/AIDS, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The AIDS epidemic in Zambia is among the worst in the world. Under the pressures of poverty and disease, many extended families are breaking down. The number of child-headed households is increasing, as older children are forced to look after their young siblings.  In Chipata, where we are opening a new SOS Children’s Village, HIV infection rates have risen, and 1 in 6 children have a lost a parent.

Realising children’s rights

Every child born into this world has the right to survival, protection and participation in family life; as ratified by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

For every orphaned child, not only have we failed to meet their rights, but we have missed an opportunity for them to develop into productive and creative individuals contributing to their society.

SOS Children protects orphaned children’s rights, not only meeting their right to a family, but ensuring access to food, shelter, education and healthcare. To be part of a loving, stable and secure family not only increases a child’s chances of survival, but enables them to thrive.

What should I do during World Orphan Week?

World Orphan Week is your chance to reach out to children who do not have a family to care for them.  Urgent action must be taken to ensure the care and support for children is increased.

SOS Children plans to not only increase the number of orphaned children receiving direct care in our Villages, but also work with vulnerable families in the community to prevent children losing the care of their parents. To do this, we need your help.

In the lead up to World Orphan Week we will be suggesting ways for you to get involved and hold fundraising activities during the week, including the launch of our ‘Walk to Chipata’.