#Share_the_Softness Campaign Supports Saudi Orphans
by Sangeeta Haindl
Children are vulnerable individuals who experience the negative effects of a crisis and the conflicts happening around them. It’s estimated that children make up 2.2 billion of the world’s seven billion populations, and according to UNICEF, there are 153 million children who are defined as orphans. The regions where most orphans are living is Asia, Africa Latin America and the Middle East. The current hot conflict regions are the places with an escalating number of orphans. These children, and others, are at risk for poverty, health concerns, neglect and abuse.
The term orphan does not mean it is a child who has lost both parents. Instead, many international organisations also recognise as orphans children who have lost one or both parents and aren’t necessarily children who are in need of homes, since many live with grandparents, aunts or uncles, or other family members. This expansive definition was created out of a desire to recognise that a child who does not have one or both parents may still be vulnerable in some way, whether that is a lack of support, resources or opportunity. As children are vulnerable, there are many fates that can happen to them. The most prevalent includes conscription into armed forces as child soldiers, child trafficking, child prostitution, and early marriage. These challenges are not mutually exclusive, and sadly, in some cases, more than one can be present in a child’s life.
To continue reading, click here
Photo Credit: First Welfare Society
Sangeeta Haindl writes on women and children; social innovation; social enterprise and social entrepreneurs. She is the founder of Serendipity PR, in London, U.K., where she works with high-profile brands and organizations in the public, non-profit, and corporate sectors, winning awards for her work from the communications industry. She is chairman of London's leading conscious well being organisation, Alternatives, which hosts leading speakers such as Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsch and many other well-known names. She describes herself as a Spiritual Entrepreneur, Conscious Explorer; enjoying helping others, paying it forward and being a mum.
