Orphan Orphans Orphanage, Core Values

Core Values of Warm Blankets Orphan Care Protocols for the Rescue and Care of Unaccompanied, Separated and Orphaned Children Home > About Us > Core Values Your ratification of this agreement means you will strive to serve orphaned, unaccompanied, and separated children by offering them the love of a family and a place to belong and grow in a Church Orphan Home. Here, the absolutes of the Bible are valued, the sanctity of the family is preserved, and the Body of Christ is vital. Sanctity of the family is understood to mean that the Homes we establish will not be run as adoption-focused orphanages or institutional dormitories. Each home will be a place where childhoods are restored and family attachments are nourished, as they are the fabric of the relationships God seeks for all of us. Highly regarded values for creating Church Orphan Home families where childhoods can be restored in Christ: Spiritual, physical, psychological, social, emotional, cognitive and cultural development of children are primary goals for providing stable conditions where lost children can be restored. A place where childhoods can be restored is one in which all children get the best possible start in life. This includes access to a quality basic education, including primary education that is compulsory and available free to all, and is a place in which all children, including adolescents, have ample opportunity to develop their individual capacities in a safe and supportive environment. The family is the basic unit of society and the ultimate institution of our Lord, and as such, should be strengthened. It is entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support. The primary responsibility for the protection, upbringing and development of children rests with the family. Where families of origin for children in the Church Orphan Home are viable and available, it is the responsibility of the Church members (not the orphan caregivers) to restore the whole family and return separated children to their parents or extended families. Discrimination gives rise to a self-perpetuating cycle of social and economic exclusion and undermines children's ability to develop to the fullest. We will make every effort to eliminate discrimination against children, whether rooted in the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status. Gender equality will be respected. We will promote gender equality and equal access to basic social services, such as education, nutrition, health care, including sexual and reproductive health care, vaccinations, and protection from diseases representing the major causes of mortality, and will mainstream a gender perspective in all development policies and programs. Adequate housing fosters family integration, contributes to social equity and strengthens the feeling of belonging, security, and human solidarity, all of which are essential for the well-being of children. Accordingly, we will attach a high priority to providing safe and secure buildings and structures in which children can live and a body of believers can meet. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocols thereto contain a comprehensive set of international legal standards for the protection and wellbeing of children. We also recognize the importance of other international instruments relevant for children. The general principles of, inter alia, include the best interests of the child, non-discrimination, participation and survival and development provide the framework for our actions concerning children, including adolescents. Church Orphan Home Parent Caregivers will be encouraged and educated to assume the primary role and responsibility for the well-being of children, and must be supported in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities. All of our policies and programs should promote the shared responsibility of caregivers, guardians, church members, and volunteers who help care for children in the Church Orphan Home. The best decisions on behalf of the children are achieved when we take into account the best interests of the child, consistent with national laws, religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of the people, and embrace harmony with all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The best interests of children must be the primary concern in making decisions that may affect them. All adults should do what is best for children. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. Respect for the views of the child: When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen to themselves and have their opinions taken into account. This does not mean that children can now tell their parents what to do. WBOC encourages adults to listen to the opinions of children and involve them in decision-making -- not give children authority over adults. This provision does not interfere with parents' and caregivers' rights and responsibilities to express their views on matters affecting their children. Moreover, WBOC recognizes that the level of a child's participation in decisions must be appropriate to the child's level of maturity. Policies for child discipline and punishment should be set by the in-country leadership and ratified by their Board of Directors and each leader at each Church Orphan Home. WBOC does not specify what forms of punishment should be used. However, any form of discipline involving violence is unacceptable. There are ways to discipline children that are effective in helping children learn about family and social expectations for their behavior - ones that are non-violent, are appropriate to the child's level of development and take the best interests of the child into consideration. In most countries, laws already define what sorts of punishments are considered excessive or abusive. Leadership teams should review the in-country laws, consider the Biblical view on rearing up children. We would ask that each country share their written standards with other country leaders. All Outpost partners should engage in repeated training discussions on the matter of punishment. Children living a life dependent on aid and relief will grow up to assume their lot in life as welfare recipients entitled to and dependant on foreign aid. Churches as homes are valued as the primary model for rearing of children. No Church Orphan Home will be registered with Warm Blankets Orphan Care unless there are at least 100 baptized believers who consider themselves members of the congregation. The congregation, with the help of the Warm Blankets Outpost partners will gradually bring the Church Orphan Home to the point of self-sufficiency within five years. This can easily be accomplished with tithing, growing of crops, farm animal acquisition, fish pond production, and micro-enterprise specifically accomplished as revenue for the home. Leaders are to monitor the progress to ensure that children do not become slave labor but remain children dependent on adults parent figures, notwithstanding normal chores. Freedom in Christ means just that (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion): Church Orphan Homes are a way to give children a Christian worldview that will honor our Father in Heaven. Free will is inalienable and of God. Children have the right to think and believe what they want and to practice their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Home parent caregivers are expected to guide the children in these matters. The provisions for guiding children are contained in the Bible. Our general principles are outlined in our Statement of Faith. At the same time, WBOC recognizes that as children mature and are able to form their own views, some may question certain religious practices or cultural traditions. WBOC supports children's rights to examine their beliefs, but it also states that their right to express their beliefs implies respect for the rights and freedoms of others. In the event of conflicting views, caregivers decide on the level of distraction that would be considered unreasonable. About Our Mission Orphan Home Model Statement of Faith Core Values Board of Directors Our Staff History FAQ Contact Responsible Stewardship Warm Blankets Orphan Care is a non-profit Christian mission, dedicated to the rescue of permanently displaced children, orphans and widows through third world church planting and orphanage outreach. Our mission is to restore childhoods in Christ as we raise them to be disciples and leaders who bring about permanent change right where God planted them.