Report from July

Savannah Project and Little Deer Project

Providing nurturing care for special needs orphans

Recent Event

1. Seasonal activities

Sea Animals - The children observe the characteristics of marine animals through vision, touch, and hearing. This helped stimulate the children's desire to explore and develop their observational skills.

Sailing game - the children learned various means of transportation. What means of transportation do you use in different circumstances in your daily life? The boat is the choice for sea travel. They learned the structure of the boat and were able to actively participate in games.

It's summer vacation!

Summer vacation is not just about eating, sleeping, and playing. No, our elementary school students began to prepare for the new semester by completing their summer homework.  At the same time, the staff did not forget to arrange some sports: running, skipping rope, and playing games to enrich the summer vacation.

Birthday party

A volunteer came to visit the children. She brought delicious food and fun things to do. Everyone celebrated the birthday children’s birthdays together! There were decorations which created a special atmosphere. The birthday children received gifts and everyone ate delicious pastries. Whose turn is it next month?

Next music star

Big brother Gabriel is famous in the Savannah project, and his saxophone playing skill is amazing! Theodore who is his roommate and fan, also wants to learn this magical instrument. We are thankful that Mr. Cui accepted him as a student and is teaching him how to play the saxophone!

 

2. Rehabilitation Medical Recordsehas  

Ezra: Has high muscle tension, poor head control and with weak core strength is not able to sit without support. Through daily rehabilitation training he is now able, while in the sitting position, to keep his head upright for 5-10 seconds. In the prone position he can turn his head in different directions to follow objects. Good job Ezra, you have made significant progress!

Through daily occupational therapy classes, Cindy, Amelia, and Micah have made progress in using spoons, doing puzzles, and recognizing flash cards.

 

Bon Appetit 

Children who formerly had difficulty in eating on their own now take the initiative to pick up food and eat it, this makes us all proud. 

 

3. Project development

Stephanie’s reaching Adulthood Ceremony

Stephanie has grown up and has reached the age of adulthood. After careful preparation, she was officially transferred to the adult nursing area and bid farewell to the nannies, younger brothers and sisters who loved her. Although she is no longer in our project we believe that this brave girl will be able to adapt to the new environment quickly, and that she will be as sunny and happy as ever.

 

Eleos Project

In July 2023, the team visited 21 families (13 from Qingshuihe, 3 from downtown Hohhot, and 5 from the suburbs of Hohhot), and issued subsidies to each family to help with their child’s education. They also provided material goods for 4 children and their families. These visits also provide an opportunity to check on the families and see what their current situation is.

Family Visits

At noon, the team was able to have lunch with three children who do not return home on weekends. They were pleasantly surprised to see the growth and changes in the children.

Due to Xiaohe's difficulty in communicating, we arranged a professional marriage and children's counselor to provide on-site counseling. Xiao He's mother happily accepted this. On this visit she told us about her experience, and that she realized through the counselor that her son's social and emotional health needs attention and that changes need to be made.

For Xiaonan's father, who had a car accident, the team helped connect him to medical resources, and internally raised funds for his first treatment. We hope Xiaonan's father recovers and returns home soon.

 

At the suggestion of a therapist we equipped Shuyao with two specialized seats and one wheelchair to help her sit up and eat independently. We hope to equip her with a stander in the future, so that she can practice standing and walking. Maybe soon, she will be able to enjoy the sun and rain outdoors!

Xiaolin and her mother came to Beijing for medical treatment. Thanks to many caring people who donated medical expenses, Xiaolin had the opportunity to go to a tier one hospital for detailed examination, diagnosis, and treatment. The Beijing team took great care of them, and we are hopeful that Linlin's condition will improve.

 

In busy July, we believe that love is the power to change everything!