We believe that the well-being of children, especially those who have been exploited, orphaned, or homeless is our priority. We strive never to forget that children are precious in the eyes of God, and entrusted to us to for care and nurture. Yet sadly, many children live in extreme hardship with little food to eat, no access to health services, clean water or even a roof over their heads.

• Every year, nearly 11 million children die from preventable causes before reaching their fifth birthday. Millions more survive only to face diminished futures, unable to develop to their full potential.
• 150 million children in developing countries are malnourished. Malnourished children have lowered resistance to infection; they are more likely to die from common childhood ailments like respiratory infections.
• For those who survive, frequent illness saps their nutritional status, locking them into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth.
• Almost a third of the children in developing countries have no access to safe water.
• Drinking contaminated water is the major cause of diarrhea with about 4 billion cases per year causing 2.2 million deaths, mostly among children under five.
• One in five of all children in developing countries are not able to go to school. Illiteracy and poverty go hand in hand.

Current children’s initiatives being supported by GMF Children include:

• Honduras – Extreme poverty, unemployment, hunger,disease, have left their mark on this region of the world. GMFchildren Honduras, in partnership with the Mount Carmel Mission in the Choluteca area, is seeking to raise support for 1000 children. www.HurdsMission.org

• Brazil – During the last decade, Brazil has faced severe economic crisis. As is often the case, those who have suffered the most are children. It is estimated that over 50 million children living on the streets of Latin America are facing a daily struggle for food, shelter, health and love. “GMFChildren Brazil” supports 2 children’s homes in this region of the world.

• Guatemala – There are 35 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with 54 million children under the age of five. According to UNICEF, 60% of this region’s children are living in poverty. Nowhere is this more prevalent than Guatemala. “GMFChildren Guatemala” is seeking to raise support for hundreds of children in the Agua Viva children’s home.

• Albania - In the early 1990s, Albania abandoned its long-time Communist rule in favor of democracy. The country suffered severe economic hardships because of the onslaught (into Albania) of thousands of ethnic Albanian Muslims exiting the former Yugoslavia. As a result of these hard times, Albanian children are suffering severe consequences. “GMFChildren Albania” is seeking to raise support for 200+ children in the Shkoder and Tirana Children’s Homes.

With each children’s initiative that we support, we see our role as partner. The specifics of this partnership include:

• Providing survival resources: Our goal is to create, develop, and find funding for initiatives that provide food, clothing, medical care, and education to children who would otherwise go without.
• Providing spiritual nourishment: Our goal is to move these children toward spiritual Life as well as physical life. As we help to provide food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention to these poverty stricken children, we do so in the name of Jesus.
• Supporting existing child relief initiatives: Our goal is to provide needed resources that will help to keep existing orphanages, children’s homes, and children’s clinics open to the community.
• Helping with space allocation: Our goal is to help others construct new space or expand existing space in schools, churches, or other community facilities for the purpose of housing children’s clinics, classrooms, and play areas.
• Providing community-wide education and involvement on issues that would benefit the entire family and community: Our plan includes supporting initiatives that work with children, their parents, and the communities in which they live .