The time they spend in the institution, many months at least and often many years, has a tremendous impact on orphaned children’s long term development.
For the children who will never be adopted, Half the Sky programs are the closest thing they will ever receive to the love and support of a birth family. Orphanage caregivers are too often over-worked and under-trained. Too often, there is no one else to provide the children with the developmental opportunities (and love!) that every child needs and deserves.
Thousands of children are now enrolled in Half the Sky’s five programs that provide love and hope for children living in China’s orphanages.
One of our favorite programs is The Baby Sisters Infant Nurture Program, where Half the Sky employs, trains and supervises local women to work as full-time nannies, providing orphaned babies the stimulation, bonding, and affection that are essential to a healthy start.
Corl and I have sponsored a baby in this program every year since 2006, the year our dossier was logged in China. We loved the program and never thought about it on a personal level other than what wonderful work they did. Much to our surprise, we found out that Kira was one of their babies and had been loved and nurtured by some very special nannies. We believe that this played in big part in how easily she came to love us and how quickly we all bonded.
Here's a picture of Kira with her special nanny:
