We are working with MLJ Adoption agency which we used for our first adoption of our 5th child, Della. Silas is from the country of Burkina Faso on the continent of Africa. Here is some interesting info about Burkina Faso. Some of you may be asking, "Why Burkina Faso?".........
- There are approximately 980,000 Burkinabe children living without parental care in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world.
- The orphan crisis in Burkina Faso has been brought about by economic crisis, pervasive poverty, disease, lack of basic social services, lack of immunizations for preventable diseases, and the AIDS crisis.
- Burkina Faso is a West African country with more than half of its population experiencing extreme poverty.
- Many in Burkina Faso have little access to health and social services and face food insecurity.
- The rapidly growing population of Burkina Faso, of which more than half are under the age of eighteen, struggles with hunger, malnutrition, and illness, such as malaria.
- It is estimated that almost half of all Burkinabe children under the age of eighteen, including children as young as five, work as laborers in the agricultural, mining, and domestic sectors. Some children work these hazardous jobs in extreme heat for six to seven days a week, up to fourteen hours per day, with only food and bed as payment. Children working as domestic servants are often at risk for physical abuse and sexual exploitation.
- Though adoption will not solve Burkina Faso’s larger social and economic issues, it is one permanency solution that does provide children in Burkina Faso without families with the loving support and security of a family.
Our children cheered when we told them we were matched with a child. They are all so excited and can't wait to meet their new brother. It's hard to believe he will be with us soon, hopefully the next 4-7 months. Please pray for Silas and the rest of our family as we prepare for this very important transition.
