WOW is my first impression! Today Robin picked me up at the Beijing Airport. After a 2 hour delay due to swine flu precautions, we got a Starbucks and headed to New Hope Foundation, formerly known as Hope Foster Home. New Hope is a medical orphanage near Beijing, founded 10 years ago by Dr. Joyce and Robin Hill, from Australia and England.
The one child policy in China is the main cause of orphans, however Joyce said if it weren’t for the policy they’d have street kids all over and that orphanages would be overflowing. Children who are born with disabilities in China are often abandoned, mainly because the parents don’t feel they can provide and because disabilities carry strong stigmas in China.
Children with medical needs do not receive proper care in the government orphanages. So, New Hope brings them to their home, provides life-giving medical assistance, and most go on to be adopted. Over 800 children have passed through New Hope Foundation, have received all kinds of corrective surgeries from doctors willing to help, and are now in families of their own all over the world.
There’s one little girl here who is a bit older than the rest. Her name is Jade, she is a very gentle spirited 5 year old who befriended me within seconds. Sh
e had a heart problem and has already received heart surgery. Joyce told me that her chances of being adopted are slim. She and I spent a while playing together this afternoon, she showed off all of her English Vocabulary. It’s hard to be face to face with a child who does not have a mom, it’s impossible to imagine the repercussions of that. This picture is of Jade and I.
Joyce and Robin are Christians, but it is illegal to share the gospel and teach Bible to Chinese nationals. Joyce knows they would be exploited for teaching their Chinese staff so she focuses on what she was called here to do, provide medical assistance to these babies.
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