Ren Shuai, like all children, deserves the special attention, love and nurturing foster care can provide.
This past year, as part of our continuing effort to provide humanitarian aid, we were able to work with Changsha First Social Welfare Institute to establish a new foster care program. We were able to place 25 children into foster homes that provided them with the individual nurturing, love and care that they so truly deserve. In addition, through this program, better formula and nutritional services have been made available to the children in the program.
The first few months led to a slow beginning as we established a relationship with Changsha First and forged the way to set the foundation for the program. We are very grateful to the families who believed in the integrity and value of the program from the very beginning and have supported it even before the first children were placed. We are also very grateful that as the program developed and word of its existence got out, that many more families joined in with their generous commitment.
After only a few months with her foster family, Ren Shuai is really thriving.
This summer Keith Wallace and Tina Ji were able to visit Changsha First Social Welfare Institute and to meet with Mr. Zhou, the Director, Ms. Jiang, the Foster Care Director, and Ms. Meng, our FTIA staff representative, as well as several of the foster families. Keith and Tina were excited to be able to witness first hand children thriving and happy within their foster homes. We were also excited that Mr. Zhou indicated he could already tell a difference foster care was making for the children after only a few months. The program has not only directly benefited the children involved, but has provided wonderful opportunities to many of the foster parents and their families who have welcomed children into their homes and lives.
Through the tragic events and chaos of the past year, it has become clearer than ever before that people are bonded by a love and compassion that reaches beyond all boundaries. With support from our FTIA families, these 25 children have been given the chance to thrive in a way that may not have been otherwise possible. We are very excited about the possibilities in the coming year. It is our hope that this wonderful program can be expanded to serve up to 50 children this next year! It is also our hope to provide even more and more consistent information to our sponsors as the year progresses.
Chang Tian is found to be in good health after her monthly medical checkup.
With the generous support from FTIA families, we have raised enough money to cover the cost of the foster care and even have a few extra dollars. These monies will all go to the direct support of children in foster care. FTIA will continue to pay the administrative costs for the program out of our general fund. We have a long way to go in order to bring this program to twice as many children in its second year. The challenge is now up to all of us. As we know, our FTIA families are up to the challenge! Please remember that the Foster Care Program is completely separate from the adoption process.
What you receive for your contribution is nothing tangible, but an opportunity to know in your heart that you are making a difference for a child.
Those families, who helped to make our first year so successful, our heartfelt gratitude goes out to you. You are the reason this program works and we welcome you to join us for a second year. Those of you, who were not able to be a part of the program during its first year, join us now! Help us to provide Ren Shuai, Chang Tian, and many other children the chance at a life they deserve. Call or email our China team for more information.