Written by Nikki Bilderback

I hope everyone is enjoying the end of the summer and is all prepared for back to school! I got to take my first trip to China in June this year. I got to meet the director of the Hunan Foster Care program and about ten foster mothers and the children they are currently fostering. I met them in the home of one of the foster families and was told they often get together there so the families can visit and the children can play with one another. Due to our agreement with Changsha 1st to      protect the privacy of the foster   families, I was not able to take pictures, but it was an experience I will never forget! All the children looked happy and well cared for.

I have enjoyed being involved in the Foster Care program and have written the last two newsletters for the program. The newsletters are published on our website quarterly at http://www.ftia.org/Hunan%20Foster%20Care/Index.html. A couple sections I think are particularly exciting are our News From Hunan where a story from China is shared and From Hunan to Home where family stories, pictures and updates are shared.

Our 1st quarter total for 2005 donations was $2,807.15. Our 2nd quarter total is $1,568.00. These numbers are down from last year’s total at this time. Hopefully the last two quarters of this year will bring in more donations for the Foster Care program. For the first half of 2005 FTIA has paid $3,000.00 in administrative costs. Child care costs for the first half of the year have totaled $15,300.00. FTIA covers the remainder of the child care costs not covered by donations. We have been asked to expand the program from 60 children to 100 children. In order to make this expansion a reality we will need more help.

Please consider the Hunan Foster Care program when deciding on a cause to give to. Please remember that monies donated to the Hunan Foster Care Program are completely separate from other adoption related expenses. Also note that 100% of all monies donated to foster care go directly to the care of the children as FTIA covers all administrative costs for the program. With a donation of only $50 you can provide food, clothing and other necessities for a child for a month. With a donation of $350 food can be provided for a child for an entire year!

If you have questions about the Hunan Foster Care Program, would like to check to see if your child was fostered through the program, or would like to donate, please feel free to contact me at nbilderback@ftia.org. If you would like a copy of our Hunan Foster Care newsletter or brochures to distribute, please also contact me.

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