Burien has some new neighbors to welcome.

Orphan Relief and Rescue, a nonprofit that serves orphans in West Africa, moved its office from Texas to Burien earlier this summer and now calls office space inside Lake Burien Presbyterian Church its new home.

"We felt [the move] was the right thing to do because most of our donors live up here," said Davy Desmond, the nonprofit's administrator.

The organization will hold an open house event on Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the church, located at 1416 S.W. 151st St.

Orphan Relief and Rescue was started three and a half years ago by founders Rebecca and Tim Pratt, who were traveling through the country of Benin, West Africa when they came across an orphanage with 109 starving children.
"Becca said, 'This has to be stopped,'" Desmond said.

From there, the Pratts spent the next several weeks contacting different nonprofit organizations in the United States to raise money for the orphanage.

Desmond said it wasn't an easy journey and Rebecca Pratt was met with much rejection along the way, mainly due the fact that many organizations didn't want to deal with the legalities that came with aiding orphanages in such bad conditions.

But in time, Pratt was able to raise the money she needed and used it toward reconstructing an improved orphanage in Benin.

Today, the nonprofit supports 22 orphanages in Benin and the neighboring country of Liberia, where most of the work is focused on making regular checks on orphanages to ensure they run up to standard and shutting down the corrupt ones.

According to a press release, the organization is dedicated to working with the uncertified orphanages of Liberia and Benin West Africa--orphanages that are at high risk of closing and in great distress.

ORR also cracks down on child abuse and trafficking by identifying directors that selfishly use children as a source of personal income and food, according to the nonprofit. After finding such an establishment, Orphan Relief and Rescue cooperates with the local government to ensure such orphanages are closed down and the children are placed in a safe environment.

The model for success is an orphanage in which the children receive love, education and discipline with a minimum of outside aid.

Over 1000 children have benefited from ORR's programs through a field team of seven international staff and 30 nationals, and seven local staff in the United States.

More information is available at www.orphanreliefandrescue.org.