Orphans in Ghana

As most of you know, we originally were going to adopt from Ghana. That turned into a huge political struggle on both sides of the continent. Ghana was going through social reform and thought it best to close down a lot of their orphanages. The orphanage that Imagine was working with was closed down because of alleged trafficking charges. These charges were eventually dropped but the damage was done. The man behind all these changes and these charges is the director of Social Welfare. He went throughout the country closing down orphanages and sending children back to the villages they came from or back to family, no matter how distant. Often these children were sent back into extreme poverty and were not received well by family members. They were another mouth to feed. ( How sad to go back to family who does not want you) I heard of two infants dieing within months of going back to their village. These were children that were matched with waiting families in Canada. But because of lack of interest of the Canadian government and the stubbornness of the director of social welfare these children would not live long. The director of Social Welfare has his own orphanage that is run by him. This orphanage was obviously not shut down but should have been. An investigative reporter has gone in undercover and taken some disturbing footage of life in the Osu Children's Home. It reminds me of the news stories of the homes in Romania. It's a 6 part series and you can view this on YOUTUBE. Search for Osu children's home. But please don't allow your children to watch these.
I must add that there were many loving orphanages that were shut down by the Director. I don't really know everything that happened there to close down the Ghana adoption program. I know that it was probably not going to happen even if there were no trafficking charges. The Canadian High Commission in Ghana frowns upon international adoption. I guess they figure that it is better for these children to languish in orphanages than find a forever family.
As I watch these short videos I am once again angry. Angry that our government is to lazy to work out a simple adoption program with another country (Ghana would not oppose adoptions to Canada). Angry that children are living this horrible nightmare when we would have gladly adopted one or two. Angry that the citizens of this world are more concerned with their next GREAT TOY than they are for orphans. Even most christians I know could not possibly support an oprhan because they are to busy thinking of themselves. I am angry that I had to give up adopting a beautiful girl named Mariam ( she would have been with us for over a year already). Angry that international adoptions have to be so complicated in this free country of Canada. Angry that there are many childless couples longing for one of these children. Angry that families in the States could complete 3 adoptions in the time it will take me to complete one. Angry that it seems like there is absolutely nothing I can do about any of this
.
I can however pray.
Pray that the hearts of our government will be changed.
Pray that adoptions in Ghana will be available
Pray that the hearts of people everywhere will be turned to the plight of the orphans.
Pray that the church takes serious the command to take care of orphans.

Sunday Nov. 7th is Orphan Sunday. Please if you are not already doing something look into what you can do for an orphan. There are many organizations that you can support. Check out some of my favorite links in the top corner. Better yet, think seriously of adoption.

Osu Children's Home in Ghana