Definition of an orphan.
Often when people think of an orphan, they think of a child whose parents have both deceased. In the strictest definition, this is correct, often referred to as a "true orphan". Of the 143 million orphans in the world today, not all are defined as "true orphans", but rather as a child who has been separated from one or both parents. One or both parents may, indeed, be still alive but have ceased caring for the needs of their child due to financial strain, disease, war, HIV/AIDS or a host of other possibilities). It is important to note that sometimes a parent or an extended family member may come back into the child's life and remove their child from the care of an orphan home under the direction of FCI (or any other organization involved in orphan care). Child Sponsors should understand that they will be contacted immediately should this happen and they will be given an opportunity to support another child. While this is a rare occurrence, sponsors should be aware that this is a possibility.