A “single orphan” is a child who has lost one parent.
A “total orphan” or “double orphan” is a child who has lost both parents.
Other categories of orphans exist, such as social orphans, who have living parents that are unable or unwilling to care for them.
Who Is Considered an Orphan?
Most commonly, an orphan is defined as a child who has lost both of their parents. But orphanhood is complex and takes many forms. For example, UNICEF defines “orphan” as a child under 18 years of age who has lost one or both parents to any cause of death.
“Orphan” can also mean a child whose parents have abandoned them or are unable to care for them. This is common for children living in poverty.
Orphan Meaning: Different Types of Orphans
There are different ways the term “orphan” can be used to describe a child’s circumstances. For example, the two main categories of orphanhood include:
Single orphan: This is a child who has lost one parent.
Total orphan: Also known as a double orphan, this is a child who has lost both parents.
Other categories highlight the different challenges orphans experience. For example, a “social orphan” is a child whose parents are alive but unable or unwilling to care for them. And a “head-of-household orphan” is a child who has lost one or both parents and become the primary caretaker and provider for their siblings.
No Longer an Orphan: Nelson’s Story
Nelson, a young man living in Africa, faced orphanhood in multiple forms, from total orphan to head-of-household orphan. His story can help us understand that being an orphan in any form simply means lacking parental love, care and protection.
Nelson is a former Compassion program participant. As a child, Nelson grew up with both a mother and a father who cared for him and his four siblings. It was a picture-perfect family until life took a sharp turn for the worse.
“My father was attacked by thugs. He was shot and killed on his way home from work.”
After the death of his father, Nelson became a single orphan. The loss left his family devastated.
Nelson Suffers Another Loss
Nelson recalls the early days after his father died:
“We grieved our father, but my mom was shattered, and she could not come to terms with it. She slid into depression. After one month in deep depression, my mother suffered a severe stroke.”
Nelson’s mother soon passed away, leaving her five young children in despair. Nelson recalls: “The loss of both parents in that space of time was a big shock to us. I felt like my life had come to a standstill.”
After the death of his mother, Nelson became a total orphan. Nelson’s oldest brother faced a new challenge too: becoming a head-of-household orphan. At only 11 years old, Nelson’s brother was in charge of caring for his four younger siblings, ages 9, 7, 5 and 2.
Read More: 10 Powerful Reasons to Sponsor an Orphan Child
Nelson’s Grandparents Take the Family In
In African culture, if both parents die and other family members are able, the family will take the children in rather than placing them in an orphanage or foster care. Nelson’s grandparents took him and his siblings in, moving them to rural, western Kenya, about 400 kilometers away (about 248 miles).
Unfortunately, their strength waning with age, the grandparents weren’t prepared to handle five grandchildren on their own. Nelson and his siblings were now social orphans. Although they had caregivers, those caregivers were frail and unable to support them as they needed.
No Longer Orphaned: Compassion Steps In
Regardless of the label, an orphan is simply a child deprived of parental love and care. But no orphan is outside of God’s attention. He is the ultimate caretaker of orphans. Throughout Scripture, we see his promises to orphans.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. — Psalm 68:5-6, NIV
At Compassion, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps to care for those in need, including orphaned children. And that’s exactly what happened for Nelson.
The situation at Nelson’s grandparents’ home was dire. But being sponsored through the local church was an answer to prayer for Nelson. He received the financial support needed to attend school and the encouragement and love he desired after losing his parents.
“I joined the Mahaya Child Development Center, and the social worker there became very close to me. I developed a connection with him. I would meet him every Saturday and, after the program, we would talk about life.”
Nelson drew strength from a loving God, his courageous but aging grandparents, and a generous worker at his Compassion center who invested in him. Inspired to keep moving forward, Nelson went on to university after receiving financial support from Compassion to continue his education.
“When I joined university, I met Mr. Kimando, one of my lecturers at the university. He openly professed his faith in Jesus. I admired him.”
Nelson approached the professor, who soon became his mentor and taught him how to live by following Christian values.
“My perspective about growing up into a man has reformed, especially since I did not grow up with my father. I now have a better understanding of my role as a man and a future father.”
God did not abandon Nelson. Through the care of the local church and university mentors like Mr. Kimando, Nelson is poised to become a world changer.
How to Help Orphaned Children Like Nelson
Nelson’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the struggles orphans face around the globe. His journey from a loving family to facing the harsh reality of orphanhood is a call to action. It’s up to us to stand in the gap for children like Nelson, providing the love and care they need to thrive.
Compassion is doing just that in partnership with the local church. With churches in impoverished communities, we’re providing children with the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual care they need to break the cycle of poverty.
Through your support, a child in need will not only receive necessities like medical care and nutrition, but they’ll also have access to long-term support, such as education and mentorship. Above all else, they’ll hear the good news of the gospel, giving them eternal hope.
