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Check out their site to find out more about how you can help - it may be by displaying a link on your homepage or by sending a donation. We all need to help! One day, it might be one of our family members who is missing! The more we see these children's faces looking out from our computer screens, the more the possibility that one day we may glance at a face in a store - one with hair colour changed, or cut short, but we'll recognize it as a face we've seen. Every one of these missing children leaves behind a family and friends who love them, who worry about them. 2300 children go missing every day. There is so much pain in the hearts of the people who love them. We NEED to get involved.
We also have responsibilities towards those children who live their lives among us - children whose homes may not be the warm,loving shelter that they are entitled to; whose parents may not be giving them the love and care that is theirs as a right. I am not talking about the parent who slaps a child's butt as a disciplinary measure, but if you are aware of a child who is being beaten and abused, you need to speak up. There are countless organizations to turn to, and most have a local or 1-800 telephone number, and your report is kept anonymous. In fact, you do not even have to give your name.
There are some who survive the most terrible of childhoods and abuse. Two of my favourite authors are Roger Kiser and Dave Pelzer.
It is up to all of us to learn from their experiences, so that we can save another child who might be in the same situation as they were. Dave has been on "Oprah" before, talking about his experiences. Roger has his own website, "The Sad Orphan Website". These two men have extremely upsetting stories to tell, it is a miracle they survived at all.
Likewise if you see a child who is not clothed adequate for the climate, or who constantly begs food. Neglect can be just as damaging to a child as abuse. Many organizations will help a family which is struggling financially; being poor is not something to be ashamed of, but turning a blind eye is! Local churches are a good
place to start when seeking help - they often have their own social service group; some provide food and clothing, others may help with utility bills or shelter costs. All of these things could make a difference in the life of a child neglected by circumstance, where it is a lack of resources causing the neglect, not a parent who can't be bothered by the child. Also, the United Way has offices in most major towns, and their number should be in the telephone book.
The following organizations are active in the child abuse forum. They can provide other information if you think a child is being abused.
On a happier note, how about a site that gives you ideas on raising your children to be brighter? this site is currently under construction, but will eventually link to educational sites all over the world - and not only those dealing with formalised education, either. Learning should be fun, and that's what this site hopes to foster.