Compassion for Orphans

"Our Philosophy" (abbreviated) - see the full version on our website here: https://www.cfo.org.nz/philosophy

1. The international community’s primary objective should be to assist birth parents to keep and bring up their children or for this to occur within their extended family (provided this is in the best interests of the child).

2. The best interests of the child and respect for their fundamental human rights, as recognised in international law, must be the paramount consideration.

3. Adoption can offer a permanent and appropriate family to a child who is definitively deprived of his or her family environment or whose best interests requires a change of environment (ISS - International Social Service Organisation).

4. There must be no improper financial gains or profit making in intercountry adoption. Unfortunately, in many cases intercountry adoption has involved profit making to the extent that children are treated as commodities. Abuses in the process have involved child trafficking, abduction, child abuse, criminal networks, agencies and intermediaries charging exorbitant fees. ‘Compassion for Orphans’ is completely opposed to any and all corrupt practices.

5. Encouragement and support for adoptive parents who have a special calling – sharing a loving home with children in need, offering them hope for a brighter future.

"Our Vision Statement"

To follow God’s calling to reconcile people to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ,(1) and to care for orphans.(2)

(1) “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:18 NKJV

(2) “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unspotted by the world” James 1:27 NKJV

“…‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me’” Matthew 25:40 NKJV

Read more on our website here:

Intercountry Adoption | Vision | Compassion for Orphans Our Vision is to follow God’s calling to reconcile people to God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and to care for orphans.

"What Is Best For The Child Is Paramount"

For the full harmonious development of his or her personality, the child should grow up in a family environment in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. (Preamble to 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).


For many children, for one reason or another, they are unable to live with their biological parents. One of the key principles for undertaking intercountry adoptions stipulated within international conventions is the principle of subsidiarity.

Continue reading on our website here:

What is Best For The Child? | Compassion for Orphans For the full harmonious development of his or her personality, the child should grow up in a family environment in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. (Preamble to 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).