As you may have read in some of our previous posts, Love Without Boundaries (LWB) is an organization that Dave and I have support as much as we can. We received an update from them today regarding the tragic situation in China right now. Please find it in your hearts to help if you can. One of these babies may even be ours.
A Message from Amy Eldridge, Executive Director of Love Without Boundaries
Hi everyone,
I know all of us are stunned and heartbroken by the tragedy of the earthquake in China, and I wanted to give you an update on what LWB is working on, specifically about our relief efforts.
First of all, we were not in any position to provide immediate assistance such as food or blankets because we do not have staff on the ground in Sichuan. When we have been contacted by people who want to give to the rescue efforts, we have been referring them to groups like Americares or Children's Hope International. These groups are right there trying to get food and water to the victims. Because many roads were damaged, it has been difficult to ship in supplies.
LWB is collecting funds and plans to use these donations for projects that will provide more long-term relief. 100% of donations received will be used for relief efforts. I am saddened to report that our directors in China have contacted many officials and have been told that a huge amount of children have now become orphaned. Our China medical director spoke with a doctor in Sichuan who said that in his hospital alone there were 163 newly orphaned children.
One of our board members is actually in Beijing right now and has met with the CCAA. We wish to pledge our support to a specific project that LWB can be closely involved with. We know that many charities are raising funds which will be used by the central government for relief efforts. We are recommending Half The Sky Foundation for these types of donations. Because many groups and foreign countries are already helping in that way, LWB has decided to work on a smaller project that we can be closely involved with so that we can report back to our donors on how their funds were used. Since we know that there are two very real needs in China involving this horrible earthquake--immediate assistance for food and water and also a long-term need of help for the children who have now become orphaned--LWB has decided to raise funds to help in both ways. One immediate need that we have been asked to help with is providing baby formula to the regions in need as many babies currently have no access to the formula they need. Through our nutrition program, we are able to get significant discounts on baby formula due to the amount we purchase. We are placing the first emergency order today, which will be shipped to Chongqing Civil Affairs and then distributed to babies in need.
One long-term project that we are working on is outside of Chengdu. We are working with a local physician there who has already met with provincial Civil Affairs about setting up a temporary children's shelter, for those children who have either become orphaned or have become displaced and are unable to locate their families. Of course we will pray that every child who enters this shelter will eventually be reunited with his or her family, but, if they are not, LWB would like to help them in the long-term by providing shelter and possible future foster homes. Civil Affairs asked us how many children we feel we can help and house. They are worried that if the project is announced that more children will be sent to us than we can handle. We are waiting on final details for this project as there are many logistical details to work out with helping more long-term. Our staff in China are in close contact with officials in the region to come up with the best plan for the children who are currently still in the hospitals there. As we receive more news on how we will be helping long-term, we will pass it on to you.
The magnitude of this devastation and feeling of sorrow is so very deep, and I know all of us are wanting to do something to help out. We are fully committed to helping children who have been hurt in this tragedy, and we are so grateful for your support. Together we can work to touch the lives of children who have suffered such a loss in a very real way.
Amy Eldridge
Powerful Earthquake Rocks Central China
For the second time this year, China has experienced a terrible natural disaster. This time an earthquake. Many of you are wondering how this effects those living in China and their orphanges. Our agency has reported that our families who are in China now are safe and in Southern China.
Rumor Queen has been closely following the situation and frequently reporting on the China Adopt Talk website. I have copied one of her posts:
May 13th, 2008
As I reported yesterday, HTS (Half the Sky) reports that they have had contact with the Chengdu, Chongqing and Yibin orphanages and that all is well. The children were all evacuated until the tremors passed, the buildings suffered no great damage, and no children were injured. This morning they note that the children have once again been removed from the Chengdu orphanage due to the aftershocks.
Half the Sky reports that they will be working with The Ministry of Civil Affairs to help the children impacted by the earthquake. They already have a working relationship with the MoCA, and it turns out that the MoCA is responsible for disaster relief as well as being over the CCAA.
Neither the MoCA nor HTS have been able to reach the orphanages in the most affected areas: Mianyang, Zitong, Deyang and Aba. They report that each of those four institutions house about 100 children.
Jenny Bowen at HTS notes that help for children may well be needed outside welfare institutions, and they have been given assurance by the MoCA that they will be able to deliver aid where it is most desperately needed. They intend to help provide temporary and long term care to the children affected, including emergency shelter, food, and medical care for children orphaned or separated from their families. They have set up an Earthquake Fund, if you’d like to help them then go to their website: http://www.halfthesky.org/
LWB (Love without Boundaries) is also involved and is posting updates about individual programs as they get the information. As of now they report that the children at the Deyang SWI are safe and that there was minor damage to the building. They say that the Mama’s Wish teachers and students have all been accounted for and are safe. Also, all of the children in the Zhaotong Foster Care program are safe. They have a disaster relief fund set up as well.
As I reported yesterday, HTS (Half the Sky) reports that they have had contact with the Chengdu, Chongqing and Yibin orphanages and that all is well. The children were all evacuated until the tremors passed, the buildings suffered no great damage, and no children were injured. This morning they note that the children have once again been removed from the Chengdu orphanage due to the aftershocks.
Half the Sky reports that they will be working with The Ministry of Civil Affairs to help the children impacted by the earthquake. They already have a working relationship with the MoCA, and it turns out that the MoCA is responsible for disaster relief as well as being over the CCAA.
Neither the MoCA nor HTS have been able to reach the orphanages in the most affected areas: Mianyang, Zitong, Deyang and Aba. They report that each of those four institutions house about 100 children.
Jenny Bowen at HTS notes that help for children may well be needed outside welfare institutions, and they have been given assurance by the MoCA that they will be able to deliver aid where it is most desperately needed. They intend to help provide temporary and long term care to the children affected, including emergency shelter, food, and medical care for children orphaned or separated from their families. They have set up an Earthquake Fund, if you’d like to help them then go to their website: http://www.halfthesky.org/
LWB (Love without Boundaries) is also involved and is posting updates about individual programs as they get the information. As of now they report that the children at the Deyang SWI are safe and that there was minor damage to the building. They say that the Mama’s Wish teachers and students have all been accounted for and are safe. Also, all of the children in the Zhaotong Foster Care program are safe. They have a disaster relief fund set up as well.
May Update
Referrals of children to their families are made once a month, and that has been occuring within the first week of each month. This month's CCAA Status reads: Reviewed through: December 31, 2006 Placed through: January 12, 2006.
I have added some of the May referral under May Babies. I have also linked some journey to follow of families currently in China under In China Now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)