Movement
When Jim Luce founded Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) in 1999, he had no idea it would grow into an international movement. A Google search today reveals tens of thousands of mentions of “Orphans International” on the Internet. In 1999 there was none. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, the idea caught fire. Today, there are over 100 “Orphans International” organizations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas – but only one Orphans International Worldwide.
The mission of Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) is to help orphaned or abandoned children grow into solid citizens of the world through a sound structure that is simultaneously Interfaith, because there are many paths up the mountain; Interracial, because there is but one race – the human race; International, because our neighbors are our family; Intergenerational, because there is much to learn from our elders; and Internet-Connected, because the world today is at our fingertips.
UNICEF estimates that the number of orphaned children worldwide is about 163 million, largely due to the AIDS pandemic, natural disasters, low world health standards, immense poverty, and food shortages. In Haiti, where the majority of residents live in extreme poverty, there are approximately 300,000 orphaned children. In a nation particularly vulnerable to conflict, that number is growing every day.
When Jim Luce founded Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) in 1999, he had no idea it would grow into an international movement. A Google search today reveals tens of thousands of mentions of “Orphans International” on the Internet. In 1999 there was none. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, the idea caught fire. Today, there are over 100 “Orphans International” organizations in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas – but only one Orphans International Worldwide.
Honorary Advisors The Global Advisors to Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) have included luminaries such as H.E. Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco, former U.S. Congressman the Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman, and Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary. Board of Directors the Corporate Board of Directors is comprised of Jim Luce, President, John Lee, Vice President, and Adi Ashutosh Habbu, J.D., M.B.A., Secretary-Treasurer.
Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) was founded by Jim Luce in 1999 as a response to the global crisis facing orphaned children. Inspired by his own adopted son Matthew and encouraged by his child psychologist mother, Jim first established a network of locally incorporated homes to house and educate orphaned children through traditional ‘full-care.’ The primary aim was Raising Global Citizens.
GLOBAL STANDARDS
OIWW has set forth Global Standards for international orphan care, covering both full care and family care of orphaned or abandoned children. The OIWW Global Standards – about 20 pages long – are posted on line. This is the only standard for international orphan care readily available to the public.
They were approved and amended at OIWW's biennial World Congresses held in Bali (2004), Aceh (2005), Columbia University (2006), and N.Y.U. Medical School (2008). These Global Standards include OIWW's non-participation in international adoption.
GLOBAL STANDARDS – Partnership
Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
GLOBAL STANDARDS – PDF
Founder Jim Luce
Jim Luce. Former banker Jim Luce is an organizer, philanthropist, international development specialist, writer and publisher. He founded the United Nations-affiliated Orphans International Worldwide in 1999.
Wall Street
Luce began his career as an Assistant Eurobond Portfolio Manager with Daiwa Bank on Wall Street upon his return from studying at Waseda University in Tokyo in 1983 at the age of 23. He was the first Japanese-speaking American manager hired by the New York branch of Daiwa Bank.
Congressional Recognition
Luce left the financial world for the second time after the 2004 Tsunami. For his work with orphans, Luce was awarded the Certificate of U.S. Congressional Recognition that year. Luce was anointed the “Tsunami Saint” by the New York Post for his work with orphans in Indonesia in 2005. He was recognized again by Congress in 2007. He has occasionally faced danger in the field (BBC) and has since raised over $1 million for orphaned children in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Writer & Publisher
In 2008 he began to write about his work for the Huffington Post and Daily Kos, in two columns on “Thought Leaders and Global Citizens.” At his 50th birthday party in 2009 he announced the launch of the Jim Luce Stewardship Report revolving around the universal theme “Connecting Goodness.”
Foundation
Luce has created the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) with the purpose of funding Luce Leaders – young leaders involved with bettering humanity from around the world.
OUR CHILDREN
SPONSORSHIPS
Sponsor a Child in Family-Care. By sponsoring a child through Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) children, you will provide immediate aid through housing, food, clothing, and care. More than that, you will help develop a child through education and vocational opportunities, giving your sponsored child a brighter future.Sponsor a Child in Haiti.
On January 12, 2010, an earthquake described by United Nations Secretary- General Ban-ki Moon as the worst natural disaster of our times destroyed Haiti, killing over 250,000 men, women and children. Orphans International has partnered with several other NGOs to provide emergency family-care to as many orphaned children as we can in the quake’s epicenter in Léogâne, 18 miles West of Port-au-Prince.
Details. Each child in OIWW Family Care has two Child Sponsors, each paying $50 per month. These funds go towards the child’s family for essentials such as room, board, education, healthcare, and clothing. To sponsor a child, click here.
Privacy Policy
OUR PLEDGE
ACCOUNTABILITY
To take care of orphaned children globally – and to be lead NGO within an international movement – places great responsibility on an organization and its leadership. Towards this end, Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) instituted Global Standards in 1999 that have been posted on-line since 2001, and is represented by both N. Cheng & Co and DLA Piper. Global Honorary Advisors include or have included H.E. Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco, Hon. Benjamin A. Gilman, and Mr. Peter Yarrow. OIWW’s electronic newsletter, OI Worldwide InterNews, is registered with the U.S. Library of Congress and was been published from 2001 until 2011. It is been replaced by The Stewardship Report Monthly published by The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation.Funding. OIWW is funded in part by The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (website) with additional support from generous friends around the world. OIWW is a 501(c)3 organization incorporated in the State of New York. OIWW has a long tradition of volunteer support and donated or subsidized office space, allowing its administrative costs to be kept well under 10%.OIWW is the body that maintains the organization’s Global Standards – about 20 pages long – which are posted on-line. This is the only standard for international orphan care readily available to the public. They were approved and amended at OIWW’s biennial World Congresses held in Bali (2004), Aceh (2005), Columbia University (2006), and N.Y.U. Medical School (2008). These Global Standards include OIWW’s non-participation in international adoption.
PROJECT NATIONS
OIWW supports both the small home-based full care and community center-based family care of orphaned and abandoned children. OIWW stands emphatically against the institutionalization of children in Dicksonian warehouses and prefers family care to full care. OIWW supports “Ending Orphanages Globally” in favor of children remaining with extended families. OIWW pays particular attention to the needs of orphans as they ‘age out’ of the programs it supports.Locations. OIWW is working to support orphaned children in twelve equatorial countries on three continents. In Africa, OIWW is working to assist orphaned children in Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, and Tanzania. In Asia, OIWW is working to help in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Closer to home in the Americas, OIWW is working to support children in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Haiti.