Infectious disease, starvation, and war rob millions of sub-Saharan Africa's children of their parents and caretakers. In a UNICEF report titled "Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations" (PDF) conducted in August of 2006, a staggering 48.3 million children were found to be orphaned within the region, with the number continuing to rise on a daily basis. (UNICEF defines an orphan as a child who has suffered the loss of one or both parents.)

Child Legacy International operates to protect children and position them to have successful futures. We not only care for those who have lost their parents – we also fight to keep other children from losing their mothers and fathers through our sustainable initiatives. Keeping parents and breadwinners healthy and productive is a huge part of safeguarding a child's future.

Our very first orphan at our Children's Home in Zimbabwe came to us as an infant. Struggling with a high fever and having contracted HIV from his recently-deceased mother, "Phillip" was not expected to live through the night.

He is now 14 years old with a spirit as strong as his will to live. A friend to all (but favoring CLI Director, Jeff Rogers) he has excelled in his classes and will attend CLI's vocational training center when he finishes secondary school.

Feels Like Home
We search for exceptional adoptive families for the children at our Children's Home, but in the meantime, each individual is nurtured in a home-like environment.

Our staff works tirelessly to encourage and edify each child's particular strengths, but the love and acceptance part comes easily! We also provide school fees, uniforms, and nutritional supplementation for our children, as well as for orphans in the community not under our direct care.

Community Orphan Care
Although CLI has a deep passion and extensive experience in traditional orphan care, we believe in empowering people to care for themselves and their own communities. Therefore, as our presence strengthens the community, we design and facilitate orphan shelters.

Our orphan shelters are day centers, equipped with early development learning tools and food stores for "street kids" and children under the age of five. These shelters give children the opportunity to be adopted into local families without being a financial burden to their adoptive parents.

Staffed by local volunteers, who receive a small stipend from CLI for their contribution to the community, these shelters provide children with meals and educational activities during the day while keeping them culturally connected and allowing the community to take care of their own.

If you would like to help give Africa's orphans a legacy of life, you can donate today.