A Child's Hope Foundation

HISTORY

In 2004, A Child's Hope Foundation was invited to participate as a sponsor of the China Orphan Relief Fund. Several Board members flew to China to participate in formal ceremonies announcing the establishment of this long anticipated fund. They then visited several orphanages in northern China to assess needs. Since that trip, we have made several additional trips to China to explain the mission and purpose of the Foundation, as well as promote the placement of orphaned children into families.

Our efforts have taken us to ten major cities within various provinces of China. We have visited over 15 orphanages and provided small financial grants to over half of them. We have met with political leaders, social welfare agencies, orphanage directors, the China Center for Adoption Affairs (the central agency for matching and approving adoptions in China), and the China Charities Federation (a quasi-government agency that directs and controls all charity efforts in China).

OUTLOOK

Due to limited land and the increasing construction activity in China, we anticipate partnering with a select group of orphanages rather than building our own facilities. Our ultimate objective is to encourage and facilitate the placement of children into loving homes, domestically or internationally.

Bill and Susan Turnbull holding orphans with cleft lips

We have recently met with the directors of several orphanages who are eager to find families for their children, especially those with minor medical issues. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with government and social welfare officials to see what role we might play in promoting the placement of these children into loving homes and families.

BENCHMARKS

Because China has rich traditions with a heavy emphasis on established relationships, any business or organization desiring to be successful in China must make regular visits to develop the trust and influence essential in this culture. Therefore, we seek donations to assist us in making the requisite visits. We plan 3 to 4 trips each year, visiting appropriate government and orphanage leaders in various provinces. We also seek funding to allow for the continuation of small financial grants which are essential in the overall process of establishing credibility.

We expect that within the next 24 months we will be able to assist properly licensed adoption agencies increase the number of Chinese children placed into loving families domestically and internationally.

RESULTS

(as of August 15, 2008)

Donated over $110,000 to the China Orphan Relief Fund which provides orphans in China with medical care, food, clothing, heating, reconstruction of facilities, etc.
Visited over 15 orphanages and provided small grants to over half of them for supplies (food, clothing, heating, medical, etc.)
Helped sponsor the 2004 International Comparative Charity Law Symposium held in Beijing
Facilitated acquisition of medical supplies and vitamins for several orphanages
Our efforts were featured in a five minute evening news story in Changqing (the largest city in China) which broadcasts to over 40 million people