AIMS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES 

1) To Glorify God

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As a Christian organisation, our main aim is TO GLORIFY GOD by:
 

1.1 Reconciling people to God. 

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“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV

When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of man he provided full atonement for all sin, and provided a way for anyone to reconcile their relationship with God, that way being repentance of sin and commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (this is ‘the Gospel’).
 

As part of our vision, ‘Compassion for Orphans’ accept the responsibility to fulfil a ministry of reconciliation. To accomplish this, ‘Compassion for Orphans’ will have a heart for service. Through our demonstrated love for others, we will witness in the community to the saving and healing love of Christ and be a challenge to others to come and follow Him. We believe our call to service is a serious one and underpins the vision statement. As individuals within the organisation, and as an organisation, we will place ourselves last and be the servant of all.
 

To be effective in this aim, we recognise the need to be disciples (followers of the Lord Jesus Christ), which is more than simply being believers. We will seek God’s way and His truth and obey His word at all times including our responsibility to communicate the Gospel, to strive to be like the Lord Jesus Christ and not to hide our Christianity.

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“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:7-8 NKJV

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1.2 Caring for Orphans (without discrimination(1)) who have no future by helping to unite them with families who are willing to love them and provide them with a permanent family.

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Recognising that:

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• The best interests of the child and respect for their fundamental human rights, as recognised in international law, is the paramount consideration;

• Children have a need for affection and a right to security and continuing care;

• Every young person deserves the chance to learn and grow under the care of a loving family (US Presidential proclamation 31 October 2013);

• For the full harmonious development of his or her personality, the child should grow up in a family environment in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. (Preamble to 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), and;

• Children have a right to life, survival and development. Development in terms of physical health, mental, emotional, cognitive, social and cultural development.

• Our inspiration comes from Jesus’ compassion for the disadvantaged.

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James 1:27:

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself uncorrupted by the world” 

 

and Matthew 25:31-46:

“31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  32  All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger  or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’  45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

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1.3 Sensitivity to Adoptive Parents Needs

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Empathising with and being sensitive towards the needs of adoptive parents and helping to provide the hope of a family. Providing them with:

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• Respect;

• Understanding;

• Preparation and Education;

• On-going support, and;

• Caring for their safety at all times.

 

Whilst recognising at all times, and in all situations, that adoption is intended as a means to provide families for children rather than children for families.

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1.4 Striving for excellence in systems, operations, procedures and communications and international best practice to ensure that the rights and best interests of the children are protected and fully respected.

 

2) To only intermediate intercountry adoptions from countries who have ratified or acceded to the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and governed by the Adoption (Intercountry) Act 1997.

 

3) To scrupulously apply International Standards in the Best Interests of the Child

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Ensuring that internationally accepted standards and procedures for intercountry adoption as outlined in the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation on respect to Intercountry Adoption have been scrupulously applied and particularly that the best interests of the child, and with respect for his or her fundamental human rights, are the paramount consideration. Recognising that:

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• Every effort should be made that children be brought up by their biological family;

• If this is not possible that a suitable family be found in his/her birth country, and;

• If the above are not possible intercountry adoption, conducted in the appropriate manner, offers an alternative opportunity for a healthy, supportive life and a future for a child as opposed to life in an institution in his/her birth country.

4) Encouraging countries that have not done so to become parties to International Conventions.

 

5) To challenge all costs in the intercountry adoption process (requiring all costs to be justified in nature and amount), so that:

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• the likelihood of affordability by New Zealand families is increased, and;

• to ensure that all payments are properly accounted for, so that there is no improper financial or other gain to any party (Article 35 1989 United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child).

6) To promote and to assist with a better environment so that biological families are able to raise their children.

 

7) To foster excellent working relationships with all parties involved in the adoption process.

 

 

(1). Irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, social situation, physical features, culture, property, physical or mental health disorders, birth or other status.

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