Orphan

From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change

An orphan is a child that has lost his or her parents.

[change] Causes

Sometimes parents get sick and die while their child or children are still young, and if no close relatives take care of them, if they cannot or will not do so, they are normally raised in an orphanage. When several children, brothers or sisters are left orphaned they are normally split up; one child going to one family or one child going to a foster family while another may stay in the orphanage. This can be a very bad experience for the children who don’t want to be divided.

Sometimes parents may not have jobs or money and abandon their children because they cannot afford to bring them up. The parents may feel that if someone else brings them up they may have a better future in the long run.

[change] Helping the orphans

In many poor countries orphans are often seen wondering about begging for money and food; many may not be going to school. Not much organised help exists for them in poor countries.

But in richer countries many organisations and institutions help the orphans and work to helping parents when they are sick or very poor so they don't abandon their children. Organisations such as churches and community services assist them.

[change] Orphans in history

Many characters of books and movies have been orphans, such as Oliver Twist.