BOCI started in 1995 at the invitation of Russian officials who sought Buckner’s expertise to help overcome mounting problems in the country’s orphanages.  Buckner staff realized they had the unique opportunity to use their childcare and social services knowledge to make a difference to the millions of orphan children around the world. In 2004, BOCI expanded its orphan-support programs to include the “Angels from Abroad” orphan host program. 

While many typically think of orphans as infant and young children, Russian orphanages house approximately 700,000 children, many between the ages of 6 and 15 years of age. While living conditions in orphanages vary, the effects of limited resources and group-home residency can be profound, especially for older children who are less likely to be adopted. The Angels from Abroad program reaches out to these children, allowing them to experience life in America and exposing them to families interested in international adoption. Currently, BOCI facilitates a summer orphan host program for children from Russia. It also has humanitarian aid and mission trip programs in Botswana, Bulgaria, China, Guatemala, Kenya, Latvia, Mexico, Romania and Russia; and provides humanitarian aid to over 40 countries worldwide. 

Buckner began the hosting program in 2004, and has had two very successful years of bringing children to Texas. In addition to many of the children finding adoptive parents, some of the children received life changing surgery and all of the children experienced a trip that will impact their entire lives.