The Importance of Family

 

Brian was born in September 2016, and entered the Savannah Foster Family Project in October 2022.

 

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In the past, Brian’s upper and lower lips would touch but he was unable to produce sound and could not say daddy. With encouragement and training he was finally able to produce sounds. Now when he sees his foster dad return, he calls out loudly, “Daddy!”

 

A few days ago, his foster father went to the hospital to see a doctor and stayed in the hospital for a few days. Brian missed his father and when he was playing would say, “daddy, daddy….” Sometimes he would say "Dad, Dad" while sitting on the sofa. 

 

On the day when his foster father returned from the hospital, Brian came back from school and saw his father sitting on the sofa. While calling, “Daddy!”, he ran towards him, as if he hadn't seen him for a long time. He took off his slippers and lay on the sofa with his head in his daddy's lap.

Seeing our children's attachment warms our hearts. 

 

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Ben was born in July 2012, and entered the Savannah Foster Family Project in October 2022.

 

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Ben is very hyperactive, but this does not prevent he and his foster dad from being very close to each other. When his foster father was ill and hospitalized a few days, Ben asked every day when he would be back. It was the first thing he would say when he returned from school, he missed his dad very much.

 

When he was discharged from the hospital, Ben and Brian were happy to know that their father was back. When he returned, the children gathered around him and asked questions. In total he had been gone ten days. The children said it felt like their father had been gone for several months. When their foster dad returned, he brought back a lot of snacks to share with the children. While Ben, who really likes snacks, was waiting for his, he said, "Dad, if you are sick, you can eat it!" His father said that seeing Ben so considerate really touched him.

 

Seeing the children eating, jumping, and smiling happily, made the foster dad and mom feel what a wonderful thing it is to raise the children!

 

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Family is especially important to the orphaned children in our program. Their individual needs are cared for and their emotional needs are met. A healthy and loving family environment provides the possibility for the all-round development of children's body, mind and spirit.

Volunteer Insights

This holiday, through the introduction of a sister, I came to Beijing from Hohhot and started a three-week internship at NDFH. I am Xiaolu, a sophomore student studying communication at Northern University for Nationalities in Yinchuan, Ningxia. Since I have acquired certain knowledge in school and have certain writing and editing abilities, I decided to look for an internship during winter recess to receive further training.

While in Beijing I was able to meet several children from the Savannah Project on their trip to Beijing. After hearing about the degree I am studying, the staff decided to let me assist in filming and recording the children’s trip.

Since we wanted to record, we had to have close contact with the children. I am not good at getting along with children because I am impatient and have no experience interacting and playing with them. But the couple of days spent with them made me feel my own growth - I not only learned how to get along with them through observation, but also developed my own skills through practice.

 Photo by Xiaolu

Except for Samuel, the other children are very independent. Eating and dressing by themselves. They were able to study and explore the museum, and have fun in the ice and snow park. Mia taught Jacob to be considerate of other people’s property; Jocob is enthusiastic and cheerful, and likes to take the initiative to communicate with others. Benjamin did not cry when he had an unexpected allergy, but just waited quietly for the staff to buy him medicine; Joy is young but very understanding, getting along with others she is sensible and well-behaved. Jacob is active, but he always strictly obeys the rules, and does not make people worry about him too much.

I have become more patient and loving these last three days.

Although the children still have some shortcomings that need to be corrected, and I still have many shortcomings, through growth we can overcome those shortcomings. I'm looking forward to meeting them in the future if I have the chance.

Xiaolu Giving a photography training