Exploring the Options:

We’re exploring a number of creative ways to provide mittens to orphans worldwide during the cold months of winter. Start a mitten making operation in the communities where orphans live? Partner with and source from local mitten manufacturers? Produce mittens to sell here in the United States for a profit and offer a “Buy One, Get One” model, as proven hugely successful by the esteemed company, Tom’s Shoes?  We’re exploring all the options.

We don’t have all the answers of course, so we’ll look to our partners and to successful models that inspire us, as well as to you, our supporters and readers, to share your knowledge and insights of humanitarian aid that works. Keeping in mind, of course, that the target demographic we seek to serve are orphans. We welcome your suggestions, especially if you have knowledge of social enterprises aimed to support children. In advance, thanks for sharing thoughts and ideas that come to mind, we’ll be carefully considering each one.

How Many Orphans are There Worldwide?

As we embark on the mission to find creative ways to bring mittens and other basic items to orphans worldwide, it is helpful to understand from a global perspective, how many children are classified as orphans, how many mittens might we need, and what are some of the root causes responsible for these kids becoming orphans in the first place.

UNICEF [United Nations International Childrens' Education Fund] is a driving force that helps build a world where the rights of every child are realized.  According to UNICEF and global partners, there were more than 132 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean (this report is dated 2008).

In the developed world, there are roughly an additional 15 million more orphans.  Keep in mind that the official classification of orphan refers to a young person who has lost one parent.  Of the approximately 145 million orphans worldwide, there are about 92 million that do have a surviving mother, and in most cases live with her. Doing the math, we have over 50 million children worldwide who have lost both parents.

Of course, some of these 50 million do have other surviving extended family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) who, if they can, do take them in and care for them. However, in regions around the world where HIV/AIDS infection rates are the highest, and we see a correspondingly high number of orphans, – the resources among extended family members are so stretched that they often cannot provide the usual safety net to orphans. In these cases it is most common to see orphan children caring for and supporting their younger siblings.

Our Goal: Mittens. And more.

Regardless of official classifications, we know that in many if not in most situations, an item as basic as a pair of mittens is considered a luxury that orphans and their caregivers often cannot afford. At Smitten With Mittens, we are keeping in mind the big statistics on orphans (145 million orphans worldwide!) – and are at the same time focusing on one area in which we can make an impact right away: mittens in the cold winter months for a target community of orphans. In time, we’ll expand beyond mittens to include school supplies and other items our local partners communicate to us are needed. And we aim to carry out our mission in a sustainable way that supports the communities in which the orphans live.

Our plan is a holistic one – we are considering the many complicated issues involved and are interested in developing partnerships with local communities and organizations that can guide us in best practices to develop long-term solutions that work.  We are very excited that you are here to visit us.  We invite you to join us – help us raise awareness about orphans worldwide, and help us to make an impact in orphans’ lives: thanks!