What is an Orphan ?

According to the National Adoption Information Clearing House, an orphan is a "minor child whose parents have died, have relinquished their parental rights, or whose parental rights have been terminated by a court of jurisdiction." In my journey with the Orphan Connection I have found that a child may have just lost one parent and not two and still feel like an orphan. The other type of orphan is the workplace orphan where people have the same emotional issues that regular orphans have. Have you ever felt like you didn't belong "there," like you've become isolated, considered different?

Orphans have emotional scars that may go with them throughout their lifetime. Some scars are deeper than others. Some orphans have an "inner strength" to move out of the negative emotions. Others never do.

Making a Difference & Inspiring Others

Many orphans grow up with lingering feelings of not belonging to anyone or to anything (i.e., a work environment, a relationship, a family).

There is a strong desire to be accepted. There is also a sense of separation, of longing - always searching for an identity rather than being labeled an orphan - an outcast. Yet, there are many orphans who have not allowed these feelings to guide their lives. These orphans have learned to understand and accept who they are. And, they in turn, have reached out and helped others in some small way or some large way. They have not hidden behind the label. Those orphans who are making a difference are the Mentor Orphans.

It must be noted that not all orphans have a tragic life. Some have been lucky. Some have been adopted by loving families. These families have shown them what love is all about - they have opened their hearts. I want to take a moment and applaud these families for the love and the opportunities they've offered. Many have sacrificed to help those orphans that needed a home, security and most of all love.

Kitoleko's story

Kitoleko, a 12yr old, was found while picking wastes (food) from the dump. And when we talked to him, he lamented "I am not a mad person, I'm a normal person like you, except that this misfortune has befallen me, and I can't eat decent food."

He revealed that he does not remember when he had a decent meal cooked in pots and not the tins they use to cook their meals.

"I also look forward to sleeping on a bed, comfortably with good bedding. Not on the sacks that we sleep on." He complained of the cold in those trenches he slept on the rainy days. Kitoleko is responsible for over six siblings who are below 10 years.