From the Founder
Things are progressing very well with the 7Acres Project. We recently received guests from the Civil Affairs Bureau, the older kids’ Social Welfare Institute, and our local Chinese NGO partners to inspect the 7Acres campus and ensure the safety of our future residents. All of our guests approved the numerous improvements we’ve made in preparation for the older kids, but added a few more changes to ensure a healthy, safe environment. We’ll install security cameras to the first two houses and to the Vocational Center and Therapy Center, and add the other three homes and buildings as our population increases. We’ll place additional security equipment on the 7Acres campus wall that surrounds our property.
Staff Visits Current Home of Future Residents
Our team also had the opportunity to visit the welfare institute most of the future 7Acres participants will come from, and got to see their current living conditions. They discussed life skills training and the types of vocational guidance that will make an impact on these teens’ lives. Our training and therapy will maximize the kids’ abilities and help produce independent, fulfilling lives.
Covid-19 Delays Arrivals
After 56 days without any reported cases of Covid-19, Beijing is now experiencing a new outbreak, which some call a second wave. This hit the capital city just as its citizens were returning to pre-coronavirus life. On the day of the reported new cases, Beijing parents were preparing to send their children back to school for the first time since early January, but that was immediately put on hold. The Covid resurgence is affecting us as well, as it will further delay the arrival of our new residents.
We’re very hopeful that things will improve in the next month or so for us to get back on track, and to make sure that it’s safe to welcome new kids. The safety of the kids is always paramount. We’ll keep you updated in the coming weeks through our website, www.chinaorphans.org and on Facebook and Instagram. Thank you for hanging in there with us – we’re always very grateful for your love, prayers and support.
Andrew Handles it Like a Pro
As the Philip Hayden Foundation celebrates its 25th year in China, we’re sharing the stories of some of the kids who have come through our doors, and how much they’ve blessed our lives. They’re forever part of our big SFCV family, and this month we’re featuring Andrew (Zhang Yunfei).
Andrew was adopted from Shepherd’s Field in September 2015 by his Forever Family from the United States. Five years later at the age of 15, he’s doing well with the love and support they’ve given him. His mom said he’s come a long way in just a few years, and she’s very proud of him. Currently, he’s excitedly preparing for the 9th grade, but he’s not quite sure that his mom and dad are ready!
Family Knows Sign Language, Doors Open for Andrew
Andrew’s a smart boy – he was tested by his school last year, and his IQ results are higher than the children who can hear. However, his inability to hear and speak has frustrated him, and has prevented him from doing all the things he knows he can do. Joining a family with other hearing-impaired kids was the perfect match, because the entire family already knew sign language.
Andrew has flourished, and compared with his days at Shepherd’s Field, he’s a completely different young man. His mom said Andrew is very handy, too. Assembling ceiling fans, putting together shelving, fixing his mom’s sewing table – Andrew handles it all like a pro! These are the kinds of life skills we aim to incorporate into the lives of all the teens in the 7Acres Project. Our mission is to help them reach their true potential, and to enjoy independent, fulfilling lives.
Life Changing Story
Andrew is a light to the many who haven’t yet had a chance to show the world what they can do. His life-changing story is inspiring, and we’re excited to watch him as he continues to grow. We’re very blessed to be in Andrew’s life, and we’re prepared to welcome many more kids just like him.
Grab a Ray of Sunshine
If you want to experience unconditional love, here it is – say hello to Brody! This little ray of sunshine doesn’t have a shy bone in his body, and his contagious smile lights up every room he enters.
Brody has Down syndrome, but enjoys overall good health and communicates well. He’s learned basic sign language, but his favorite way to communicate is with hugs! Brody is the epitome of pure joy, and finds the light in every situation. He loves to socialize on the playground, roll around in the hammock and just be around people. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for him, and pray a Forever Family is looking for a wonderful, loving child like Brody.
We’re working hard so we can help Brody find a family long before any worries about the adoption age-limit arise. Please share Brody’s story on social media and elsewhere, and help us advocate for him. For more information, contact us at info@chinaorphans.org or call us in the USA at 1-866-526-3712.
Did you know?
- Approximately 1 in 700 babies will have Down Syndrome, making it the most common chromosomal condition. This is true for all races, nationalities, ethnic groups, and classes.
- While there are many health conditions associated with Down Syndrome, health care providers are aware of them and are very proactive with care.
- Students with Down syndrome are now included in many classrooms across the country.
- Down Syndrome comes with its own set of challenges, but the blessings far outweigh the challenges!
Keep the Smiles Coming
Because of Covid-19, more and more of us are shopping from home online. If you’re using Amazon to make online purchases here’s a way to put your purchases to good use for a good cause. Simply by using AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know with the same products, same prices, same service. The only difference is Amazon’s contribution to support the cause you choose.
Now, you can support 7Acres by choosing “The Philip Hayden Foundation” as your designated AmazonSmile charity. Just go to smile.amazon.com and search for and choose “The Philip Hayden Foundation” as your designated charity. You can do this in the Amazon Shopping app as well. Just open the app, and tap settings. Then tap AmazonSmile and follow the instructions. It’s that easy.
Breaking News on Adoption
Last month Chinese President Xi Jinping signed into law the first Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China, which oversees all civil laws, including China’s Adoption Law. One major and positive modification to the Adoption Law will be to raise the adoptable children’s cut-off age from 14 to 18 years old! This is great news for older orphans age 14-18 who have aged out of the adoption program, as they’ll still be eligible for adoption after 2021. The Civil Code will become effective January 1, 2021. As the CCCWA (China’s central authority on international adoption) puts together updated regulations prior to the effective date, we’ll keep you informed.