Earthquake Orphans Find Homes

It’s difficult to grasp the loss of thousands of people so quickly in China’s earthquake, let alone the 9,000 children who were killed in collapsed schools. But easily overlooked are the nearly 2,000 young people who were orphaned by the disaster.

The government aims to find families for these children near their home communities as soon as possible. Whether it is a family member or another family who lost their own children in the quake, matches will be made to best fit the orphans. Children who are over 10 years old will be asked for preferences and consulted before any final adoptive decision is made.

Some compensation is being donated to families who lost a child, but really, what good is money when a family member is gone forever? Maybe what could life a family’s spirits would be a new child, who survived the disaster. Perhaps the life in him or her could be helpful to tie a family together back together…or maybe this “replacement” program will just make matters worse.

Adopting a child who has been through a tragedy like this could be difficult…but the parents have also gone through the same exact situation. Do you think this would make it easier or harder to deal? [The Times]