A Letter from Our Founder

Dear friends:

If you are reading this, then you have an obvious interest in helping orphans around the world find loving, Christian homes.

My wife Sally and I became interested in the plight of orphans as we went through the adoption process ourselves. During that time, we learned that there are currently an estimated 143 million orphans around the world, with many of them living in deplorable conditions.

Many orphanages are underfunded and don't have the resources to adequately provide for the children in their care. Orphans face shortages of food, clothing, proper medical care, sub-standard living conditions, and the lack of a supportive and loving family. And in some parts of the world, after orphans reach their mid-to-late teens, they are sent out onto the street without the proper skills to live on their own. The result is that many of the boys will turn to crime, and many girls become prostitutes.

Children play in the streets of Brazil

Sally and I, who have been blessed by all the comfortable benefits of American life, struggled with the idea that so many children, the world's most innocent, were suffering so much. Out of that struggle, with many other urgings from God through scripture and Christian radio broadcasts about adoption, came the idea that we could help these children and make a difference. Thus, Open Hearts for Orphans was born.

Having been through the adoption process ourselves, we wanted to help other couples adopt. Open Hearts provides financial resources and direction on how to start the adoption process to families willing to open their homes and hearts to a child, but in need of financial assistance.

However, to really make a difference, we realize there is a need to go beyond helping families adopt a child. In the future, as we grow and our capabilities expand, we hope to provide both financial and material donations to orphanages around the world. Donors would be able to make a difference by contributing to a specific orphanage or sponsoring an orphan.

A girl in Central America waits
in line to see the doctor

Thank you for taking the time to read about the history of Open Hearts for Orphans. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Also, if you are new to adopting, and you have a lot of questions, don't forget to check out our Adoption Center page. And finally, Open Hearts would not be possible without the generosity of people like you. Your kind donation will go a long way in helping the many orphans around the world. Please join us in helping orphans!  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Bob Schmid
Founder and President,
Open Hearts for Orphans