World Orphans Day is a holiday observed annually on the second Monday of November. The purpose of this holiday is to draw attention to the plight of orphans around the world and to encourage people to take action.

Taking action can take many different forms. Some people may choose to adopt orphans and bring them into their homes. Others may dedicate their time and/or money to orphanages and other organizations that handle the day-to-day needs of orphans.

Regardless of how this day is observed, it is important for people to spread the word about it to raise awareness of the problems orphans around the world are facing.

The History of World Orphans Day

Orphanages have been around since the dawn of civilization. Not only did the Romans have orphanages around the 5th century, but the Athenians also had orphanages for children whose parents were killed in military service.

Jewish law also had tenets that called for the care of widows and orphans. In Medieval Europe, the Church ran orphanages, and some of these not only provided the orphans with basic care but also with an education.

World Orphans Day was created by The Stars Foundation to raise awareness about the plight of displaced children and orphans around the world. It was conceived as a day to strengthen the principles of humanitarian goodwill towards these children and to involve humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations, civic groups, individuals, and government groups to come together and help the orphans of the world.

Some Important Facts About Orphans & Orphanages

Below are just some of the facts that we have learned about this subject while researching World Orphans Day. We hope that everyone reading this article finds the following factoids informative and enlightening.

• Approximately 5,700 children become orphans every day due to natural disasters, war, disease, poverty, and medical needs.
• In Africa, another child becomes an AIDS orphan every 15 seconds.
• Every 2.2 seconds, an orphan ages out of the orphanage system after never having been adopted into a family.
• In the United States in 2015, there were approximately 427,000 children in foster care and another 111,000 waiting to be adopted.

Observing World Orphans Day

On this day, people around the world are encouraged to do what they can to help orphans and displaced children. Donating time and money is always welcome, as is spreading the word about this day using the hashtag #WorldOrphansDay.

Anything and everything a person can do to help these children is appreciated and will make a huge difference in their lives.