Our project staff visited Mianyang and Deyang in January this year to get a better understanding about the children who are being placed into families under the care of our partner orphanages.

Many children who come into orphanages are diagnosed with disabilities such as cerebral palsy or learning difficulties, which makes it even more important that children, and the families who care for them, are given the right kind of support. Our project staff were able to see first hand how children who have been placed into families are progressing in their development.

We love to share stories about the children who are benefiting from the love and care of a family. Care for Children’s Training Manager, Emma Zhang, had the opportunity to meet a little girl called Xiao Yun.

Two-year-old Xiao Yun was abandoned by her parents and sent to the orphanage 3 days after her birth. She was placed into the care of a local family in October 2012. Her foster parents run a small local business.

When placed with her new family, Xiao Yun hardly ever played or moved around, she was very quiet and had difficulty walking. Xiao Yun’s foster mother gave up her job so that she could care full-time for Xiao Yun at home. She is able to spend focused time playing, reading storybooks and helping Xiao Yun with her walking. Three months into her placement, Xiao Yun now plays with a smile, and is full expression when she sees visitors. Her workers and foster family have noticed a real transformation in Xiao Yun.

Xiao Yun’s foster parents are really happy having Xiao Yun in the family and are already talking about adopting her.

It’s stories like these that affirm the need for orphans to be placed into families. One worker from the Shenyang Child Welfare Institution who has attended one of our recent training events, commented:

Thank you for your support that makes this important work in China possible.