Orphans - Open Discussion and Share Your Stories

There are 15 million dual parent orphans in the world and an estimated 175 million single parent orphans. In many countries, these children are struggling to survive and in some cases being traded into sex slavery. In Russia the statistics are staggering. Approximately 90% of orphans will end up in crime, drugs, and/or prison after "graduating" from their orphanage. In other countries children are living in sewers.

If you've been involved with or tried to help orphaned children, share your story with us.

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Permalink Reply by Yuko Nara on May 20, 2011 at 2:58pm

Well, I got left at a police station in China when i was a baby around 6 months old ( My real parents actually took care of me for a while, which is nice because most girl orphans in China are not kept around that long, most are droped off immediatly after their born).

My adopted parents got me when I around 1 yr old took me back to America and well.. here am I today.

So technically, im not an orphan. Not anymore at least.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Bradshaw on May 21, 2011 at 12:05am

Wow! That's incredible Yuko!

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Permalink Reply by Yuko Nara on May 21, 2011 at 6:35pm

Not really lol ( at least i dont think it is) but, thanks.

I'm glad that when my adopted parents figured out that one of my ears was deaf they didn't re-abandon me lol. ( from what my parents told me, I got really sick at the orphanage and well tada ).

This is an awesome thing you're doing btw, much respect to you. Some orphanages dont really have adaquate means to take care of kids, so its nice to see someone stepping up and calling attention to orphans. Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Bradshaw on May 21, 2011 at 11:13pm

Thanks. There's a lot of work to do yet, but I plan to stay with it. I'd like to get a couple of manga done this year in time to launch it next year and get some some more press. We'll be visiting a few anime conventions to get some marketing ideas. :) Hopefully, we'll be able to hit the Anime Expo out in Los Angeles in July.

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Permalink Reply by Yuko Nara on June 1, 2011 at 12:09am

dude, thatd be awesome! hope to see ya out there!!

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Permalink Reply by Rich West on July 15, 2011 at 12:14am

As an EMT and a Firefighter...my bretheren and I share stories about children losing their parents to accidents, fires, and crime. and it breaks our hearts that they go uncared for. and now that I see that iota soul is here for awareness for orphans, it makes me fill up with tears of joy knowing that there are people out there that care and are doing something cool about it. you guys are awesome.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Bradshaw on July 16, 2011 at 1:43am

Rich thank you so much for sharing. Your words are inspiring to us. It makes me even more dedicated to see this project through.

This fall we'll be headed out to a few adoption conferences Together for Adoption and Orphan Sunday. We're really excited about taking this next step in the project.

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Permalink Reply by jason on July 17, 2011 at 2:53pm

wow man! It's cool to here from other people who enjoy anime and also have a heart for orphans. I hope you continue to support the project!

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Permalink Reply by Elisa Ann Millwater on July 30, 2011 at 7:13am

I do not think it is enough to just stress the fact that many orphans are misplaced without a home to call their own. We should also bring attention to those that have been placed with poor foster families. This should not discourage anyone from wanting to be placed with a new family, but there should be awareness about making sure children are placed with the RIGHT families. There are alot of people out there that look as children in general as a way to gain extra income, and some extreme people think of kids as pets or dolls that they can collect. If you are in a foster family where there is abuse or neglect, please speak out. Tell someone. Even if its your counselor or your best friend. The more people talk about it, the easier it gets to want to change it. Some people think that just having a roof over your head and food to eat is enough. We are human beings. We require happy social environments and positive experiences. What's the point of having sound body if you do not have a sound soul? If anyone knows of a foster child that is living in poor conditions with their foster family, please let the authorities know! It isnt enough that we get these children off the streets. We have to be willing to get them off the streets AND into loving and caring families!

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Permalink Reply by Tony Bradshaw on July 30, 2011 at 8:38pm

Well said Elisa! Great points. I actually found a guy that wrote a book about foster care vs. orphanages and the misconception that foster care is a better system than orphanages were.

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Permalink Reply by Ichirin Hana on July 30, 2011 at 11:03pm

I agree Elisa. Being that I have helped a few friends in situations just like this one get out and into a better home. We definitely need to make people around the world aware that even foster parents can be abusive to the children in their care. I have personal second hand experience and it is not right that these children who have lost everything, or anyone for that matter, to be treated in such a way. They may not have a voice right now, but we can help to give them one that will be heard around the world.

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Permalink Reply by becky buss on September 14, 2011 at 4:18pm

where i aam there iis a family that lives near me and i see them treat there daughter horrible.she does all the house work.any chance i get i go over there and i take her away from there.it took me a week of taking her away from there that i actually heard her voice.there was a voice in there.and i cried when i heard it.