We're Growing!
Our Hunan Foster Care Program has been growing in the past several months, and we have been able to help more children benefit from this program, a total of 170 children in fact!! This is approximately a 25% increase in the number of children served since our last newsletter. And it is because of your kindness and support that we have been able to provide children with the vital care that is so crucial during the first year of their lives.
We would like to focus on growth: growth of our program, growth of our children and growth of our foster families.
Jian Jian
Jian Jian was born in July 2002. She spent her first days in the institution before entering the Foster Care Program in August 2002. At one month old, when Jian Jian moved in with her foster family, she weighed 5.0 kg (11 lbs.). In the months with her foster family, Jian Jian has gained weight and has received better quality, more nutritious formula. One benefit of the foster care program is that the children are provided with better nutrition, and are able to develop more quickly, both cognitively and physically, than with inadequate nutrition.
At ten months old now she can stand by herself, listen to conversations, laugh out loud, and imitate expressions of those around her. Her cognitive abilities have been demonstrated by her refusal to be fooled. One of our staff members was visiting Jian Jian as part of our ongoing regular visits and checkups through the program. She offered Jian Jian a cookie, but playfully took it back when Jian Jian reached for the cookie. Jian Jian was upset by this, and turned her head away and refused to look at our staff member any longer. Our staff member tried to amuse her some more, but was unable to do so, stating that she read an expression on Jian Jian's face that said "do not cheat me again" Jian Jian's ability to express herself this strongly and her ability to trust in her environment may not have been possible without the aid of foster care. Now, with continuing care, she grows in both strength of personality and strength of body.
Jian Jian's Foster Mother
Not only do our children benefit from this foster care program, but the foster parents benefit as well. Foster families are screened and chosen very carefully, and they are with provided ongoing guidance, child care training, and support. Jian Jian's foster mother has benefited from this program by having the opportunity to care for Jian Jian. She has experienced the joys that come with caring for a child, loving and nurturing a child, and watching a child grow and learn. Even though foster mothers know that the children they take into their homes are only with them for a limited time, they offer to these children unlimited love and care. Jian Jian's foster mother has grown to love Jian Jian very much. In fact, upon being teased by another foster mother that Jian Jian was going to be taken back to the orphanage, Jian Jian's foster mother believed it to be true, for the last time she took Jian Jian to the orphanage for her monthly checkup, the orphanage clerks had taken Jian Jian's passport photo. Jian Jian's foster mother burst into tears at the thought of no longer having Jian Jian with her. The foster mother that had teased her apologized, assuring her that it was just a joke. Jian Jian's mother replied "no more joke like this."
There are so many things in this world that we take for granted. We grow up believing that our needs of love and nourishment will be met, that we will grow into people that will be ab1e to make a difference in the world and in the lives of others. This is your opportunity to make that difference! We are so very thankful for all of you who have been a part of this program. You are the very reason the Hunan Foster Care Program is in place.
We hope that you enjoyed Jian Jian's story. Each child deserves to grow and thrive just as Jian Jian has been able to do. Please help us to make this possible!
Our program has grown from its beginnings into a program that has provided necessary care and support for 170 children to date. We hope that our program can continue to grow into a program that aids many more children, for years to come! In the first quarter of 2003, the Hunan Foster Care Program has incurred expenses of $8,703.59. FTIA has directly sponsored administrative costs of $2,258.75 for the first quarter of 2003. Of the remaining $6,444.84 in quarterly expenses, family sponsorship raised $4,470.00. We are tremendously thrilled for all of the generosity of our donors, but there is a huge deficit between the monies raised for this program and the monies needed. Continuing into our third year, we want the Hunan Foster Care Program to keep growing, but more importantly, we want the Hunan Foster Care Program to continue! Please, please, please help us to make this possible! Share this update with anyone you think may want to help: your family, friends, churches and social organizations. Make the pledge to give a child the precious gift of family love.
Thank You!!!
Jian Jian thanks you!!