Source: Mission Network News, May 28, 2018
More than half of the refugees worldwide are children, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Many have been separated from their families or their parents can’t provide for them, leaving them in hopeless situations.
However, seeing the desperate situation of these children, Bethany Christian Services is helping to change their lives through their Refugee Foster Care Program.
“We have kiddos coming in from Central America. We have kids from Ethiopia, the Republic of the Congo. We have kiddos from Afghanistan in our program. Right now, we have a huge need for foster families to be able to open their home, their hearts to give our kids an opportunity to be part of their family,” [says Bethany’s Ana Jose].
After refugee children have fled their home country and end up in refugee camps, Bethany receives their referrals and helps to get them processed, then brings them to the United States to live with a loving foster family. Jose says there are millions and millions of refugee children who are in need of foster care. Bethany receives up to 60 referrals every week.
» Full story explains the placement process and how children are reunited with their families. For an MNN article concerning immigrant families separated at the US border, see a related June 5 story.
» Also read an interesting story about artists who paint portraits of Syrian children caught up in the refugee crisis (World Vision).