Have you ever visited an orphanage, or known a couple who has adopted an orphan? Many children, through loss of parents or through neglect and abuse, live their early months without the nurturing and care that is essential for healthy emotional and neurological development. Children who are not held, cuddled, fed and changed predictably, rocked and 'loved', often develop a syndrome which psychologists call: "ATTACHMENT DISORDER". Orphans who grow up in institutions have distinct difficulty in forming healthy 'bonding' in their teen and adult relationships. As adults, a high percentage of these orphans with 'attachment disorder' fall into lives of prostitution, crime and often become abusive and violent.

LIGHTSHINE is sponsoring a conference for the treatment of Attachment Disorder! NOVEMBER 16 and 17, 2006 in Lima, Peru. The conference will be presented in English and Spanish. In early August, Dr. Celcilia Thorne (Ph.D), a psychologist and chairperson of the Psychology Department at Pontificia Universidad Catholica de Lima, agreed to chair the conference. Dr. Neils Rygaard, a psychologist from Denmark and author of 'Treatment of Severe Attachment Disorder' will be the keynote speaker. In addition to 25 years of professional experience as a therapist and professor, Dr. Rygaard is the adoptive father of two orphans.

Dr. Lourdes Mendoza del Solar was inaugurated as Vice President of Peru in July 2006. She has endorsed the Lightshine conference and is delighted that Lima will be the host to train professionals from Peru and other Latin American countries.

The special website for the conference is: http://www.pucp.edu.pe/temp/psicologia/expo.htm

We estimate that approximately $25,000 to $30,000 will be needed for organizing and conducting such a seminar. Our goal is to invite 100 delegates, mostly from Peru. These include physicians, psychologists, government workers, social workers and others who provide care to orphans or train those who are houseparents or therapists. It has to be kept in mind that many people who would be good candidates to attend this seminar are experiencing low or almost no pay careers in orphanage situations, so their attendance would be an extreme sacrifice or a great burden, if at all possible.

Miguel Angel Velasquez, the honorary Peruvian Consul in Seattle, is assisting Lightshine with organizing the conference. Mr. Velasquez, in addition to his work as Consul of Peru (Seattle), is active in his church and had six years experience working for World Vision. Miguel has been the practical 'spark plug', giving the necessary energy and direction to facilitate an international conference or this importance. Mr. Velasquez will working directly with Vice President Mendoza's office and with Dr. Thorne of Pontificia University.

We pray that those of you reading this website will find it in your hearts to donate to Lightshine so that we may sponsor this seminar.

Lightshine is qualified as a tax-exempt entity (non-profit corporation) under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

You may send deductible, charitable contributions for the Lightshine ministry (conference and orphanage ministry) to:

Lightshine
P.O. Box 1227
Winthrop, WA 98862

Be sure to include your address (to receive a receipt for tax purposes)!