The needs

My friends in China shared some very sad news with me. This particular orphanage is one that is almost entirely special needs kids. This is very different than just a few years ago when most of the kids were non-special needs and part of the International Adoption Program. As of now, there are some children who have been moved to foster care, and other kids who remain in the orphanage. The ones moved into foster care seem to be the "higher functioning" ones. Are they just "higher functioning" because they have the love of a family? I tend to think so. For many of these kids, foster care is their only hope at family life. Of having the love of a parent. Of having someone hear them and respond when they cry. Of being a part of a village, and part of a family. The orphanage director has been unable to place many of these kids on the special needs adoption list, for reasons unknown. And so, their lives are either to remain in the orphanage or to go into foster care. The lucky ones have been in foster care. But that seems to be changing. This director is not able to see the benefit of having special needs children in foster care. Instead, they are being moved back from foster care to the orphanage. The children who are impacted by this are despondent. One is refusing to eat. Another begs his foster mother to take him home when she comes to visit him at the orphanage...

Part of our role in providing these workshops next month is to show that ALL children have worth and value. They ALL deserve the best life has to offer. There is HOPE for all kids, and progress to be made despite any disability they might have. I am hoping and praying that this particular orphanage director will have a change of heart.