Our Name:
The word Orbus comes from the Armenian word orb (-oy, -oc) meaning "orphan, fatherless (child)." From this comes (h) orbos, from which the Latin word Orbus is derived, with the meaning: "orphan, bereaved, childless and destitute."
Our Logo:
The Orbus logo was designed by an Australian graphic designer who shares the vision of Orbus which is to care for, protect, train and provide for children who have lost their natural protectors, and to do this for and in obedience to our loving Father God. The logo depicts three upright Christian "fish" symbols, with the one in the centre representing an orphaned child and the two either side of that child representing loving people who have come forward to protect and love that child.
About Orbus
Orbus was established in June 2007. Orbus' mission arose out of the work of the Namatete orphan care program in Blantyre, Malawi, which feeds and teaches orphans every Saturday. This program is managed by the Namatete CCAP congregation.
It is for these children that Orbus are hoping to build the kindergarten, primary and secondary school and vocational training centre in Ngumbe, approximately 2-3 kilometres from Namatete.
Helping these children is the motivation behind Orbus, and it is the desire of the growing group of Orbus supporters to want to offer as many of these children as we can, a safe, loving, nurturing home and school (providing a Complete Education) where they can be protected, loved, cared for and trained, all on a foundation of love for God and for people.
Orbus Development and Aid in Central Africa Limited is a voluntary charity organization. It is registered in the Central African nation of Malawi and has a board of unpaid directors made up of five Malawians and three Australians. Although a Malawian charity Orbus operations can be located in other nations. The Australian directors provide input on these operations rather than conduct any Orbus operations in Australia.
Orbus' primary aim is to assist local communities through initiating self-sustaining development projects which will help individuals to reverse the cycles and consequences of poverty.
Our Method:
Rather than continue a process of aid which simply throws money at needy situations, Orbus hopes to assist these children to make the most of their God given talents by being encouraged to develop them in a nurturing, loving and safe environment.
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor" (Psalm 41:1).
Many people give their money to the poor, the weak, the helpless, and the needy in a hurry and without thinking whether that is the best way to help them; and many more give (and do) nothing at all. Psalm 41:1 tells us that we should “consider” the poor i.e. we should analyze their particular situation, prepare plans that will really help them, not just on a short-term basis but longer-term structural help, and then we should thoughtfully carry these plans out. As Charles Spurgeon said, “We can do more by care than by cash, and most with two together.” Orbus aims to do what we can to provide this type of considered help for orphaned children.
In our attempt to do this Orbus aims to establish Community Development Centres (CDCs), to help orphaned children through general education, with a particular emphasis on teaching practical skills as the children grow older. The aim is to train each child to become initiative-taking, self-sufficient, community-participating and economic-contributing adults, enabling them to earn a living, lead, manage and support their own families, and make a positive contribution to their communities. Orbus aims to establish within each CDC a home, a school and a skills training workshop.
If you share this vision please join us in whatever capacity you are able as together we aim to bring glory to God through helping these children.
These children have lost their parents; they are alone in this world. Because of the AIDS virus, some of these children may die very young. Already they are surrounded by death. Not only have their parents died, but there is a constant stream of people all around them dying because of the AIDS epidemic. However, there is Hope: Click here to read further about this HOPE.
Orbus is a Christian charity. A statement of what we believe may be found online at the Presbyterian Church of Australia website and in the Westminster Confession of Faith .
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