Yesterday I wrote a book review on "28 Stories of AIDS in Africa".

I love to read. I am always in the middle of a book, with several more piled up ready to go. Lately I have been reading many books about Africa. I have been reading biographies, history books, travel journals and plenty of others.

I think that when adoptive parents choose to adopt a child internationally, that they owe it to themselves, their children, their children's birth family, their children's birth country and the people left behind, to care. They have a responsibility to care about where their children are from and to try and give back, even if it is in small ways.

If adoptive parents travel over to Ethiopia, Liberia, Ghana or any other African country to adopt, pick up their child, buy a few souvenirs, take some pictures and then take their child home and never give their child's country another thought, then they are doing exactly what the critics of international adoption accuse us of.

Personally, I cannot forget the things that I saw, the things that I experienced and the people that I met on my trips to Ethiopia. When I came home, my house felt tons bigger, my clothes felt tons nicer, all of my "stuff" felt excessive and my entire life felt unbelievably blessed and "rich" in every way. I do not plan to live in guilt because of my blessings, but I do plan to live in such a way that I share my riches and blessings with as many as possible.

I know that when we read about the AIDS crisis, the poverty, the famines, the wars and the other tragedies afflicting the countries of Africa, that it is easy to feel that it is all way too helpless to do anything that will really matter. The problems and suffering are overwhelming. But to help just one person and to touch just one life is significant. It matters. It makes a difference.

The first step is to educate yourself. When you learn about the issues and the tragedies, it is very motivating. The second step is to care. We can read about these things and take the attitude of "that is so sad, glad it isn't me, hope someone helps those poor people," or we can take the attitude of, "everyone can do something and I want to help."

Everyone can do something. There are many organizations that allow you to sponsor a child for about $30 a month, which is less than most families spend on one dinner out. You can donate supplies for orphanages. There are also organizations that allow you to do things to help families stay together, such as providing livestock, bicycles and other things that help parents provide for their children. There are programs that provide medications, vaccinations, clean drinking water and other life-saving resources for families.

Many adoptive parents are traveling to adopt their children, seeing a need, and working to help those in need once they are home with their children.

I will say it again. Everyone can do something to help, and I think it is very important that adoptive parents care and continue to give back.

Tomorrow I will share an awesome book I am reading that shows how single people can make huge differences and help the lives of many in Africa.

Opportunities:

AHOPE for Children- AHOPE is a home for HIV+ children (where our daughter was adopted from). Not only is AHOPE caring for HIV+ children and placing some of the children for adoption, but they have started a community outreach program to provide counseling and medical care for HIV+ children who are not orphans, and enabling as many children as possible to remain in the care of their families. Read more about their work here.

World Vision - They offer child sponsorship, gifts to give to give to needy families including clean water, livestock, medical care, etc., and many other ways to help the world’s children.

Orphan Sponsorship International- orphan sponsorship

Take Two Program for Caustic Ingestion Kids in Liberia

Project HOPEFUL - Adoptive parents of HIV+ children who are working to help more HIV+ children find forever homes and families.