Africa is quickly becoming a continent of orphans due to war, AIDS, malaria, cholera, and famine.  Projections by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), suggest that by 2010, there will be over 53 million orphans in Africa. ¹ Currently, there are 4.8 million orphans just in Ethiopia alone.

We may not be able to stop the orphan epidemic from happening, but there are ways in which we can come along side and lighten the burden. In James 1:27, God gives us a clear command . . . He says to “care for the orphans and widows in their distress”. We can do this by LEARNing more about the problem, SPREADing the word to those around us, and by taking ACTION.

LEARN

---

Read the articles below, to learn more about the orphan epidemic in Africa.

• AFRICA:  A Continent of Orphans – IPS News
• HIV Epidemic Restructuring Africa's Population – Global Ministries
• AIDS Orphans Tragic Consequence of Epidemic in South Africa – PBS Online
• Exclusive: Going Inside the AIDS and Orphan Epidemic in South Africa – DigitalJournal.com
• Global orphan numbers would be falling without AIDS - Orphans in Africa Project
• HIV and AIDS in Africa – Avert.org

Read the following books by Tom Davis:

• “Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World” - True “fiction with a conscience,” Davis’ novel is the first in a planned series of three. Narrated in the first person by both Stuart and Adanna, Scared offers a unique perspective on the tragedies taking place in Africa today and encourages readers to step out and help the “least of these.”
• “Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds” - The Gospel wasn’t only meant to be read—it was meant to be lived. From the HIV crisis in Africa to a single abused and lonely child in Russia, the Church must seize the opportunity to serve with a radical, reckless abandon. Author Tom Davis offers both challenge and encouragement to get involved in an increasingly interconnected, desperate modern world.

SPREAD

---

Help raise awareness by spreading the word. Awareness wristbands are available for purchase, or receive a wristband for free, if you donate a onesie or tee to an orphan. You can also become a fan of ONE*C on Facebook and invite your friends to become fans as well.

Try sending an eCard to a friend, or an e-mail to a senator. You could even help organize an inspiring event at your school campus or church. Go to World Vision’s page on Advocacy and Raising Awareness for some simple and FREE ways to spread awareness.

ACTION

---

There are a variety of ways that you can take action to care for orphans and widows in Africa. There is an action for everyone. Some actions require very little commitment, where as others require a lot of commitment. Some actions require time, some require finances, and some require both. Regardless of your situation, I think you will find an action that is obtainable for you.

• PRAY
• Purchase a onesie or tee for an orphan – ONE*C
• Drink coffee – Saint’s Coffee
• Go bowling – Light Gives Heat
• Sell necklaces (made by Africans to help bring economic sustainability to the people of Uganda) – Light Gives Heat
• Provide basics like food, clean water, medical supplies and relief – World Vision’s, Way to Give
• Go green and purchase a reusable shopping bag (made by Africans to help bring economic sustainability to the people of Malawi) – Africa Bags
• Provide clean water and basic sanitation  – Water for Christmas
• Join Five for 50  – Five for 50
• Sponsor an orphan
• Children’s Hope Chest, or contact Amy Bottomly at amy@redletterscampaign.com
• World Vision
• Compassion International
• Run a marathon – Team World Vision
• Serve on a short-term missions trip – World Venture
• Volunteer - Light Gives Heat, North America, or Uganda
• Provide a permanent home for an orphan – Gladney Center for Adoption

“When the story of these times gets written, we want it to say that we did all we could, and it was more than anyone could have imagined.” (Bono)