[itaspCatCriny]

I've been wanting to do more for a very long time too. I can not personally reach the children in Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya etc. but I would like to do something here.

While you work towards your long-term goal to care for an orphan, why don't we all take on a personal challenge on SF? Some of us probably do these types of things already but perhaps some of us need a little motivation to get going... not knowing quite where to start. We could leave suggestions under this thread or perhaps you'd like to start a separate one for it. What do you think?

I called it a challenge but really it isn't a competition with one another to see who does and doesn't help or a race to out-do each other. No one needs to do anything or even reply. Anyone who wants to participate can do so silently or openly, whatever - insha'Allah with the intention to hold the hand of a child or a family, lift that child's spirits, show them love and care, and teach them something in the process, all for the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

I remember one thread where a young brother was talking about the difficulties he and his sister faced without a father in the home and it sounded like there wasn't a whole lot of constructive community help in their case. I personally know of such situations too. There are children in non-Muslim families who are also suffering and struggling. There is definitely a lot to do, people requiring various degrees of help and this is not a problem confined to a few areas but is something that is everywhere (though some areas are much, much worse than others).

For me, this thread is inspiring and motivating. Insha'Allah it is for others too.