8 GIRLS
4 DOUBLE ORPHANS
ORPHAN CRISIS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines is a growing nation, with bustling cities and thriving urban areas. However, the country has struggled with the growing number of children being abandoned. According to the United Nations’ Children’s Rights & Emergency Relief Organization, approximately 1.8 million children are abandoned or neglected. Although the country has seen a decline in poverty rates in recent years, a staggering 36 percent of people living in rural communities live below the poverty line. Agriculture and fishing are a common source of income for families in the Philippines, but unfortunately, the country is extremely prone to natural disasters, impacting productivity. Poverty is a common contributing factor for child abandonment. Families feel they cannot provide for their children, and leave them to find work elsewhere. Natural disasters have also created issues of displacement and death of parents. In addition to natural disasters, the southern part of the Philippines has had a long history of armed conflict. Today, regions that are most impacted by armed conflict are also the places with the highest number of orphans. Unfortunately, children who have lost one of both parents face numerous vulnerabilities such as human trafficking, recruitment as child soldiers, child labor, prostitution, substance abuse and gang recruitment.
HORIZON OF HOPE VILLAGE
Horizon of Hope Village is a mission-based orphanage and missionary guesthouse in the Philippines. Don and Jan Slaton knew that God had placed orphan care on their hearts early on in their missions journey. With two young children of their own, they packed up their belongings and moved to the Philippines to follow God’s calling for them to serve. After years of serving as missionaries and returning home to the States, Don and Jan felt the Lord calling them back to the Philippines to begin Horizon of Hope Village. They now house several children and are expecting even more to follow with the development of their next family unit.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
Poverty
Since many families in the Philippines work in the agricultural industry to make money, natural disasters have impacted their livelihood. More than 32 percent of the population living in rural areas are living below the poverty line.
Abuse
In a recent study UNICEF found that 4 in 10 Filipino children live in poverty. Often this drives the child to work for their families, making them at-risk for exploitation, often in the form of abuse.
Abandonment
Horizon of Hope Village continues to rescue abandoned children. UNICEF estimates that around 1.8 million children are abandoned or neglected in the Philippines.
HOME
Two identical buildings make up Horizon of Hope Village. Each building consists of two 947 sq ft levels, totaling in 1,894 sq ft. The first building currently houses the 5 children, while the second building is still in the process of being completed and will house future incoming children. The buildings are built of sturdy cement walls, tile flooring, and tin roofs.m as they care for the Philippines’ most vulnerable.
EDUCATION
The children at Horizon of Hope Village are enrolled in an off-campus private school and they are transported by a vehicle owned by the home to ensure the children’s safety.
FAITH
The children’s relationship with Christ is a top priority in the home. Don and Jan are quite involved with the spiritual welfare for the kids. They are a prayerful couple that has a deep compassion and desire for the children to grow up as followers and disciples of Christ. The children attend church every Sunday.
HEALTH
With a medical background in nursing, Jan makes sure that the children’s health is a top priority in the home. When a medical emergency arises, the children are taken to a nearby hospital. All the children have received all vaccinations recommended by the governmental health organization, and recommended medical tests are regularly administered.
SPONSOR THIS HOME
Horizon of Hope Philippines – Sponsorship Needs
$700 of $9,000 raised
This year, we have a goal to help improve the quality of care for these amazing children, and we need your help. Your gift will help provide education, a safe home, health, and adult mentors who can share the Love of Christ. Our promise to you is that 100% will go directly to the home.