Today is World AIDS Orphan Day

I don't even know what to say to be honest with you....

I am really pretty emotional today.
Read what Erin said...Here

Or what Lisa said.. Here

Or visit the World AIDS Orphan Day site to read more about it ...here's just a piece of what the site says:
Over 15 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents to AIDS – equivalent to the number of people living in New York, Paris, and Bangkok combined. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, over 12 million children have been orphaned by the pandemic.
Experts believe that millions more orphans remain unaccounted for in India, China and Russia.
By 2010, the number of AIDS orphans worldwide is expected to reach at least 20 million.

I am not sure how to wrap my head around 20 million.

Here is more:

The Facts
Number of AIDS Orphans:

There are over 15 million children orphaned by AIDS around the world.

Well over 12 million AIDS orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa, alone.

Experts believe that millions more orphans remain unaccounted for in India, China and Russia.
At least 10 million more children will be orphans by AIDS by 2010.

The Impact:
In addition to the trauma of losing a parent, orphans are often subject to discrimination and are less likely to receive healthcare, education and other needed services.

In HIV affected households lacking community support, food consumption can drop by 40% putting children at risk to hunger, malnutrition and stunting.

Impoverished and often without support to educate and protect them, orphans and vulnerable children face increased risk of HIV infection.

Orphans are often easy prey to many forms of exploitation: forced labor, prostitution and child soldiering.

Support for AIDS Orphans:
Fewer than 1 in 10 AIDS orphans receives any external support.

US $4.6 billion is needed to implement a comprehensive response to AIDS orphans and vulnerable children. Estimates suggest that less than US $0.5 billion is currently being invested.

Only three countries – the US, UK and Ireland have earmarks providing at least 10% of HIV/AIDS funding to orphans and vulnerable children. Yet experts believe that these promises and legislation are unfulfilled as they meander through government bureaucracy
World AIDS Orphan Day

The thing that gets me, besides all the numbers and the statistics and the gargon...is that I am living with one of these children. I have often wondered what his mother was thinking as she died. My E wasn't her only child... did she take time to pass along her motherly wisdom? Did she hold them close and kiss their faces and tell them to be strong? Did she fear she had shared this illness with her children? What did the children think? What must they have thought when they not only had to say good bye to their parents but to their little brother? Where did they get the strength to take him to the orphanage and ask for help?
Did they know he would find a home some day? Did they know he would be loved and cherished and honestly...spoiled ;o) ? Where are they? Are they sick too? Do they yearn for their mom and dad and baby brother?

I wish I could tell them. I wish I could love them close up...not just from far away. I wish they knew that I pray for them, and that they made the right choice. That E IS loved, and IS cherished and is a gift.

Since today is the National Day of Prayer as well. Will you take a moment to pray. Pray for our country, those here that are infected with HIV/AIDS. Pray for our leaders that thay make decisions that will change the way funds are allocated so that those that need medications receive them. Pray for the pharmeceutical companies to end their greed (this one is a tall order, but he God is pretty BIG) Pray for the parents in process to bring home the children who are HIV+, as well as for the families that are left behind. Pray for the world's orphans.

Today at 3:15pm (regardless of time zone) join people from around the world for 60 seconds of prayer.

AHOPE for children has a great presentation about how you can help.