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Crisis Revealed: What happens to the children of prisoners?

By Prison Fellowship International,
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In many foreign countries, when a parent goes to prison... no one steps in to help their children. |

“Please take care of my child. I don’t know where they are right now.”

That’s the message spoken by parents who are imprisoned around the world. 

While incarceration always separates children from their parents, this separation can be devastating and life-threatening for children in impoverished countries. These countries have little or no social infrastructure, which means that children as young as three are suddenly on their own, often with no warning, left to fend for themselves. Or, an elderly grandparent has to go back to hard, manual labor jobs to shoulder the burden of caring for that child on their own.

These children are especially vulnerable to sexual exploitation, forced labor, and involvement in trafficking. With an incarcerated parent, many repeat the cycle of crime. 

And worse yet, these children aren’t connected with a local church, which means that many nonprofits struggle to find them and help them. 

But there’s a way that caring Christians like you can help these vulnerable children.

Prison Fellowship International connects with the children of prisoners all over the world because their staff and volunteers are in prisons, sharing the Good News of the Gospel with their parents. They reach out and support these children, whose parents are often desperate for help and seek to connect them with a loving Christian who will provide for their basic needs.

Here’s what happens when you sponsor a child with PFI: 

First, each child is visited by a caseworker to ensure that they are safe and in a safe environment. Next, each child and their families receives nutritious food, regular health check ups, and urgent medical care so they can grow strong and healthy.

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Sreypov’s mother struggles to care for her as her father is in prison. Sreypov likes cycling and playing with cars. She likes the color white. As Sreypov’s sponsor, you help provide nutritious food, healthcare, and opportunities to experience God’s love. Give Now |

Once those basic needs are taken care of, each child is given access to education through assistance with school uniforms, fees, and supplies, so they can develop the skills they need for a bright future. Each child is connected with a Christian caseworker and local church to build positive, meaningful relationships and help heal the wounds caused by rejection and loss.

These sweet children have names: Christian, Emily, Srepov. They didn’t choose their situation. And they need to know how much God loves them. 

Help us demonstrate the love of God to these kids by taking part in caring for their needs. Children like Christian and Sreypov are waiting for sponsors. Will you help them find their way out of poverty and have hope for the future? Hebrews 13:3 (NIV) instructs us to “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Child sponsorship through Prison Fellowship International is one way to do that.

Click here to see these children and learn how you can help.