Who is Amici dei Bambini

Amici dei Bambini - Friends of the children, in Italian - is a movement of families acting since 1986 in Italy and in 29 world sites to promote the family upbringing of abandoned children. The association operates in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Our Mission

To give a family to every abandoned child and guarantee his right to be a son or daughter : this is the mission animating Amici dei Bambini's activities. To do this, every day, throughout the world, Amici dei Bambini is committed in fighting child abandonment: a real humanitarian emergency.

The figures

The phenomenon of abandoned children is taking on dramatic dimensions. Figures are constantly raising : there are at least 145 millions of orphans all over the world whose 1.5 million in Eastern Europe, almost 88 millions in Asia, 43 millions in Sub-Saharian Africa, 12 millions in Latin America and Caribbean States (UNICEF 2003 sources).

Millions of children are living for long-term periods in institutional care instead of in a household.

"Long-term institutional care is particularly inappropriate for infants and young children, because the healthy emotional, cognitive, and even physical development of children in this age group requires that they have at least one consistent and loving caregiver with whom they can form a bond. There is a pressing need to ensure that family-based care is available for these children, either through support for relatives, foster care, local adoptive placement, or community organizations that are integrally linked to the community. "(UNICEF, Children on the brink, 2004).

Moreover, unresolved abandonment often turns the child in a lonely and problematic adult. A difficult life after institutional care is often a reality.

This is why an abandoned child is a responsibility for each of us and his future depends also on our actions.

Our website: www.amicideibambini.it