Projects
Latchkey and Left-behind Children - NEW PROJECT
China’s huge, modern cities draw workers in search of jobs from the surrounding rural areas. Some of these workers have left their children behind with relatives, neighbors, or friends (i.e. “left-behind children”). Other workers have taken their children with them to the city, but with both parents working long hours, kids often have little contact with their parents and come back to empty homes (i.e. “latch-key” children). Both groups of children suffer trauma very similar to abandonment. The effects of this impact their emotional development, their studies, important relationships…their FUTURES! China Little Flower has launched several pilot programs to help these children with their specific challenges.
Poor Children - NEW PROJECT
Today’s social welfare institutes in China are generally well-funded; children living in them do not lack materially. Ironically, the same is not the case for many children living in the poorest families. These children may have parents and homes, but some families struggle to provide things like nutritious food and school tuition. Even a simple birthday cake to celebrate a child’s special day may be out of reach. China Little Flower has helped these children as “Special Causes” over the years but is expanding these efforts into fully operating programs.
The Elderly - NEW PROJECT
After nearly 50 years of the One Child Policy in China, there are many elderly who have no one to visit them or bring them joy. No one checking in to see if they need help. No one to love them. This situation is already heart-breaking, and rapidly getting worse. China Little Flower is exploring pathways to intervene, seeking ways to bring joy and companionship to these precious elders in their last years.
Long-Term Care for severely disabled children
In this program we care for older disabled orphans with severe mental and physical impairment. These are children who have little hope of being adopted or living independently as adults. This work is not for the faint-hearted and the rewards are subtle–but in some ways that is what makes this work the most profoundly human. These kids teach us so much about love!
Hospice care for orphans
In our hospice program we provide comfort, love, and care to orphaned children who are dying. Although it is difficult to watch little ones suffer and die, we consider it a privilege to be able to care for these children and to fill their short lives with love and happiness.
Group Educational Foster Homes
These homes allow physically disabled school age orphans to live in a supportive family environment while attending school and acquiring life skills that will allow them to one day live independently. We accept children with a wide range of physical disabilities including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, limb deformities, speech difficulties, deafness and visual impairment. We also receive children whose parents are temporarily unable to care for them due to mental illness, drug abuse or prison sentences. Our careful selection and management of the foster parents allows us to maximize the impact of our programs for every child. Our staff work closely with the foster parents to provide individualized care tailored to each child’s unique physical, emotional, psychological and educational needs.
Special Care for Infants
Our infant homes provide intensive care to babies who are abandoned with complex medical needs. We have become extraordinarily effective at caring for babies born prematurely, those with heart defects, club feet, cleft lip/palate, gastrointestinal defects, pediatric cancer, orthopedic issues etc. Babies with birth defects or illness of any kind requiring skilled nursing receive care in our infant homes. These babies generally stay with us until they are strong enough to transition to family-based care or are placed for adoption.
Women in Crisis
Pregnancy and family interaction can sometimes be complex and challenging. Tensions, conflict and uncertainty are often a heavy burden on expectant mothers. China Little Flower offers a safe, loving environment where mothers in need can stay as they progress through their pregnancies and, if needed, care for their babies after birth.
Special Causes
We are often approached for help in special situations. These are sometimes orphans, or children at high risk for abandonment, or from impoverished families with a particular financial need. Special causes include requests for life saving surgery, school tuitions, foster care for children with pending adoptions, etc. These kinds of needs–and many others–cross our path often.
The Results of our Work
Hover or click an image to see where our children’s journeys began.
Qing
Qing was about two weeks old when he came to us with a mild form of spina bifida. He weighed about 4 lbs 6 oz and was very malnourished. The second photo was taken just two months later.
Yu
Yu was three months old and weighed just 6 lbs 10 oz when her orphanage asked if we could help her. Her examinations revealed no medical problems; the second photo was taken after three months in our baby home.
Fen
Fen was almost 7 months old and weighed just barely 5 lbs when she came to us with a relatively minor heart defect. Doctors were not sure if she would require surgery or not, but wanted us first to help her get bigger and stronger. The second photo was taken less than 2 months later; she did not need surgery.
Dian
Dian was abandoned as a tiny premature baby. He weighed only 1 lb 13 oz (810g) when he arrived at our baby home. With very careful monitoring, special feeding, skin to skin kangaroo care and lots of love and nurturing he blossomed into a chubby, healthy little boy!
Ying
B weighed only 2 lbs 2 oz (970g) when she arrived at our baby home. Despite her small size, she was a fighter! Under the careful supervision of the staff in our preemie room, she grew strong and healthy. When she was 5 months old she was adopted by a local family in the city where she had been found.
De
Little De came to our baby home weighing only 3 lbs 5 oz (1500g). He thrived under the careful care of his nannies, and six months later you would never know he had such a rough start!
