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Homeland Children's Foundation
Education/Socialization Programs in Gaoyou, Gaochun, Shuyang and Hefei
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Homeland Children's Foundation began a pilot education program for 56 young teens in 2002, because we believed that each child, some handicapped, and most with only sporadic formal education, had the potential for an improved outcome. With improved self esteem as its core goal, each child in the program is assessed and cared for individually, provided with appropriate education, remedial support, opportunities for social and emotional growth, and clothing and school supplies. Art classes and sports equipment provide an outlet for indvidual interests. Homeland students travel on field trips to amusement parks, cultural events and picnics. During shopping trips they are able to select and purchase their own clothing, and they celebrate holidays together as a family. Professor Wu, retired from Nanjing University, oversees the program from our office in Nanjing. He meets with and counsels the students on a regular basis.The children have become very attached to him, and treat him like a beloved grandfather.
How do we measure success? After two years, all the children in the program are attending school regularly, and all have improved academically. Some have shown special talents, such as painting, math and writing. A Homeland student became the first child ever from her orphanage to enter college in September of 2003! Encouraged by her success, other children are beginning to dream about their own futures. A 16 year old girl with an unremarkable academic history, and the use of only one arm, began painting in our art class and has won several local awards. She now dreams of attending art school. Another teen, affected by dwarfism and extrmemely shy in school, was tutored individually by the special teacher hired to work with the children after school. She has found her confidence and her voice, and recently won a composition competition in her school. The most important change in the children as a whole, of course, is that they are beginning to understand that they are valued and cared for, and so, have begun to value themselves.
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"I will never forget the year of 2003 in which HCF started its education program in our insitute"-Gao Ding Ding
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"I will, with my good marks, repay HCF and those who have supported us."-Tang Yumiao
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The children speak...
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Dear Aunties and Uncles from HCF,
My name is Tang Yan. I am a special need child and was abandoned, but I am a lucky one. After I was born, I didn't get warmth from my parents,but I have got care and love from you. What makes me feel moved is Aunties and Uncles, separated by thousands of mountains and water, regardless of countries and races, have not only helped us financially, but have encouraged us to study and be a useful person for the society. I am full of confidence and hope and will never disappoint you for your support and nurture.
Though I am still young and immature like a small bird with unfledged feather, Auntie and Uncle's international sprit lives in my heart. I will never for get your support. I will work hard after my graduation and make my contribution to the civilization of mankind. With this I will repay you for your kindness. Please wait for my good news.
Best wishes,
Tang Yan
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"Professor Wu helped to arrange a good teacher for us and the teacher has helped me a lot in my math. I will do my best to study well."- Gao Xing
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A Letter from Director Ji of the Gaoyou Orphanage 3/10/04
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Dear Friends at Homeland Children's Foundation,
During the past two years, orphans and children with special needs of Gaoyou Orphanage have recieved support from Homeland Children's Foundation. Through all kinds of activities organized by HCF, we staff of the institute, can clearly see the changes in the children. Now they like to study, to do manual work,like to be clean, and are full of love.
HCF has not only supported them financially, but the staff members have come from the U.S. and China to visit with them directly. HCF has arranged trips to Suzhou Amusement Land and Changzhou Dinosaur Park. The staff came and flew kites with the children by Gaoyou Lake. The children's vision has been enlarged and they have a feeling that therre is a nice world beyond their institute. Now they have more confidence in themselves, and they have made up their mindsto study hard and to learn more for their future.
With the support of HCF, some of our diabled children go yo special interest classes. They are more interested in those trainings. Some attend painting class, some calligraphy class, and some composition class. Most of them have changed a lot, and they are more open minded, confident, and have come to know how to respect others. They have also learned the value of helping those in need.
HCF provided a retired teacher to coach our children after school. Now that they know why they should study, they have made more progress in their studies. Most of the children have undergone some surgery, and some have been operated on several times. They started their learning at a very low level, and they could not keep up with their class. They felt inferior and did not have the confidence to ask questions when they had difficulty with the work. Now, we have our own teacher, so they can ask him when they have difficulties and this has given them more confidence.
One of our girls is 16 and has one arm. In the past when she had exams, she was not motivated. After she began attending painting class, she changed and now she can paint very good paintings. She also attends calligraphy class, she can write Chinese characters beautifully. She has won several prizes in painting and calligraphy contests. She has set up a goal for herself. She wants to go to Suzhou Art School after her graduation. That is why she has been studying so hard.Another girl used to suffer terribly because of her cleft lip. She has difficulties in pronunciation and was very shy in school. She also has some learning problems but now that we have a teacher here, she can ask him for help. The results of her latest exams in Chinese and Math were 89 and 70. That is a remarkable progress for her.One of our teenagers is dwarfed. In the past, when she had to write a composition for school, she would be very upset, because she didn't know how to write. Now, she attends composition class in the institute, and she is not afraid anymore. She won the second prize in a composition contest this year.
We are glad to see every tiny progress or change in our children. We want to thank HCF for its support and care for the children. Because of this program, we can now see that our children have a chance to grow up healthy, happier, and that they will becmome full members of society.
Best wishes,
Ji Mengfeng
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"With the help of HCF I attend painting class. I feel very happy when I have finished a painting. I will repay you for your help!"- Yang Guangqian
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"We are treated as their own children. They come and visit our school. We want to repay HCF and Professor Wu."- Yang Lichang
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Respected Aunties and Uncles,
How are you? You must have had a deep feeling for those children who suffered from misfortune and for whom you are very much concerned. I am one of those children who have been deprived of their family warmth.
My parents passed away when I was very little. They left me so sudden that I became an orphan in a split of seconds. A traffic accident deprived me of a happy life. At that time I was so young I didn't understand what really happened. But I gradually came to know what the word orphan means. An orphan is a child who does not have somebody to love him or her. I was very sad then. Time goes by and I am growing up. Whenever I heard someone call Mama or Papa, I have almost forgot how to say those two words. Who could I call my Mama and Papa?
Sometimes I ask myself: Why is it I? Why it happened to my family? You have comforted me and helped me rest assured that I should not be worried about anything and encouraged me to go forward and strive for a better life. When people asked why you work for the Foundation your answer was you love children. I was really very delighted and happy to hear that because I am not alone any more. I have the love and care of HCF.
HCF program has really moved me, and I have made up my mind to study hard to achieve great success to repay HCF for the love and care you have given to us poor children. I want to thank from the bottom of my heart, all those who care for and help us in many ways.
Thank you and best wishes,
Ge Ding
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"My dream is to become an angel in white to cure patients. If someone has difficulties, I will give them free medical treatment. I will do my best to help them. An old Chinese saying goes like this: As long as everyone makes a small contribution, the world will become a beautiful paradise for mankind."-Hua Mei
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HCF Director Nancy Reffsin and daughter Mei visit with Homeland student.
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Dinner with Professor Wu
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