Monday, October 28, 2013

New Hope for our Special Children, October 2013

Just returned from our 2013 Hope4China Trip, as always, amazed and humbled by so many people in Guangxi, struggling against the odds to make things better for their children. 

We are so thankful for the support you give us to help to really make a difference for them and their children when we are there.....

Just wanted to share a few photos and updates for the sponsors who have helped us to make this difference....

One of our first visits was to this home in the city in Nanning, where a single mother struggles to care for and meet the complex needs of a baby girl she found abandoned.







Over the years, she realised that her girl was not developing/responding as she should and she struggled to find ways to help her. Xin has severe cerebral palsy and epilepsy, major delays, and shows little response.
Mama cares for her 24/7
with no real means of income, other than collecting rubbish in the streets for a pittance.

 Yet, in the midst of the squalor and poverty, she smiles, and cuddles her daughter,
                 teddies hanging above the bed to give her something to focus on,
               spare time doing therapy and exercises to keep the muscles moving
                                    This mama loves her little girl

                                               What can we do to help?
 We brought some new toys to stimulate and Xin seemed to enjoy them.....we would like to buy some new activity toys to place along the wall of the bed, instead of the cardboard currently there

 With the help of a group of sponsors paying £10 a month, we are helping to pay living costs for this mother, part-paying her Angel House fees for therapy and providing medicine to help control her epilepsy.
Thank you so much all - I really wish you could see the hope you are bringing to this woman.
She is so thankful and uncomplaining.....

Our next stop was our Zhou and mama, who last year were in desperate need. When we climbed the stairs this year, Zhou was sitting outside the apartment with friends around him, using some of the new equipment we got for him.

 He was excited to see us and had plenty to communicate with us as his mama shared the good news about his progress.

He is bright and very good with numbers. Mama makes him work very hard on his books. He attends Angel House each morning and LOVES to go.

                               
                                He has a crazy sense of humour :-)

 Physically, his muscle co-ordination is much improved, and he is making great strides in his walking. Thanks to a kind sponsor, we have ordered new walking shoes to be specially made for him, to aid his walking. He is looking forward to getting them when they are ready. Sponsors have also helped us to get a custom built wheelchair, therapy equipment and books for the home. We are also able to help pay fees for Angel House. Circumstances for the family this year have improved as dad has been able to work.

He loved all his Ben 10 stickers, pencil case, towel, bib...and so many more lovely toys sent by very kind sponsors.
His mama loved the special toothbrushes we brought - she had been trying to find them herself :-)
Zhou remembered us, and was excited to thank us , and say goodbye in English!!!!!
Again, I wish we could somehow convey the Hope you helped us bring to this family!

And our last visit was with our lovely Linda, bursting with excitement to see Helen , her long time friend.

Helen worked with Linda from when she was a baby at Yongning SWI, and helped arrange to get her into foster care with Grace and Hope for Children. 
Her Hope4China sponsor has supported her all these years, and even came to China to meet her a few years ago!
Linda is developing so well, walking with help, speaking some words, able to count and sing :-)



She Lives.....
She Laughs......
She Loves...........
at full steam ahead.........


                                            What a difference!!!!!

There are several other foster care children, and community children whom we are supporting thro our New Hope Programme - we did not have time to meet with everyone this trip. We urgently need and appreciate the support which comes from those who are donating £10 a month to fill our pot which enables us to meet the changing needs of these mothers and children as they arise. 
We will send general reports of the situation for these children and families throughout the year to all who donate to this.

If you would like to be part of this life-changing initiative, any donation will be gratefully received, and a £10 a month commitment can make a huge difference!!!!!

On behalf of these little ones, who cannot say it for themselves,

Xie Xie Ni

谢谢