At church last night, I was astonished to hear, during the Father's homily, that there were 150 million orphaned children around the world. Do you have trouble getting your head around such a figure, because I do.

I went to the UNICEF site today to check some of the data they have on this disturbing figure. Ten percent of those poor kids lost parents to AIDS, something which can be prevented with the correct intervention. Other causes include war, famine, drought and plain old poverty.

I can think of no cause more in need of addressing as orphanhood. Children need their parents, to love, nurture, direct, correct, and enable them to grow into capable adults themselves.

What an appalling situation - 150 million. It is beyond comprehension.