 Poverty is the root of many of the world's
problems today – hunger, disease, abuse –
all of these things are embedded in the lives
of families experiencing extreme poverty.
More than 80% of humanity lives on less than
$10 a day. There is an estimated 2.2 billion
children living in the world today, half of
whom live in poverty.
According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die each
day due to poverty. And they die "quietly in
some of the poorest villages on earth, far
removed from the scrutiny and the conscience
of the world. Being meek and weak in life
makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death."
Randy Daniels, vice presdient of international operations at Buckner, says,
"Many children living in orphanages worldwide are social orphans, children
whose parents are too poverty-stricken to care for them any longer."
The Worldwide Poverty Crisis:
Internationally, treatable diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea kill more
than 3.8 million children each year because of a lack of antibiotics, sanitary
living environment and proper nutrition.
An estimated 33.4 million people worldwide are living with HIV, with 2.1 million deaths
in 2007. Every year there are 350-500 million cases of malaria, with 1 million
fatalities. Africa accounts for 90 percent of the malaria deaths and African
children account for over 80 percent of malaria victims worldwide.
(according to globalissues.org)
More than 38 million people in the United States live below the poverty
line. Children make up around 40 percent of the population living in poverty.
Learn more about the health conditions in the countries where
Buckner serves.
Community Transformation Centers:
Buckner CTCs provide a holistic approach to communities by delivering an
integrated, needs-based continuum of care to vulnerable children and their
families. Located in the most fragile communities, each center enables and
empowers parents to provide a safe, loving and stable environment for their
children. We select these communities based on various factors, including
poverty, education, safety and protection, health, women's issues and
population demographics. We've developed a set of core ministries designed
to help children and families.
Under the experienced guidance of Buckner staff and social workers,
CTCs provide:
• Health Education, including medical screenings, dental and optical services.
• Social Services, including temporary or transitional care; family unification
and preservation; and permanent care such as adoption support.
• Educational Services, such as supplemental education, vocational training
or educational assistance, and computer training.
• Business Development Opportunities, such as job placement services
and small business loans or development.
• Access to Humanitarian Aid, including temporary food provision, clothing,
temporary housing assistance, or housing construction assistance.
• Spiritual Enrichment. Because we feel spiritual enrichment and fulfillment
is so important in life, we offer access to Christian discipleship opportunities,
faith-centered sports camps and Vacation Bible Schools.
Find information and news stories about our CTCs here.
Humanitarian Aid/Crisis Relief:
Children and families in poverty or crisis situations rely on Buckner for immediate
needs – food, medicine, rent assistance, school supplies, clothing and other
health services. These basic needs help families survive difficult times and
gives them hope that someone cares. Oftentimes, these basic needs help
introduce families to the support services Buckner provides and lead them to
seek education, training programs, and other opportunities for their children
to grow and learn with Buckner, too.
Shoes for Orphan Souls:
Shoes for Orphan Souls®, the largest humanitarian aid project of Buckner
International, provides new shoes and socks to orphans and vulnerable
children in the United States and around the world. New shoes help prevent
diseases and provide opportunities for children to go to school, since many
schools require children to wear shoes. Other children need shoes to walk
rocky roads or terrain to go to school. Since 1999, more than 2 million pairs of
new shoes and socks have been distributed to children in 69 countries.
Read stories about Shoes for Orphan Souls here.
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