For the last seven years we have worked to engage, develop, and encourage Chinese who are passionate about the plight of orphans to get involved. In 2009, our first Chinese donor began support a child in foster care.  Many of China’s charitable endeavors have struggled with corruption and financial mismanagement.  Our first donor checked us out carefully.  Because she is Chinese, she actually visited the child she sponsored and found all to be in order.  In her mind, Grace & Hope for Children was found credible.  Annually, our board members from the west visit with her and each year she has given 10% of her company’s proceeds for the sponsorship of children in Guangxi.  This year she hosted an event in Nanning that brought donors, foster parents, children, staff and volunteers together.  It was truly amazing to see foster mother and their children perform together.  Children recited poetry, danced, and showed the many talents they had learned from their families and school. Over 19,000 RMB (about $3,000 USD) were raised to support foster care in Nanning and three new Chinese families became sponsors.

In Nanjing, we were joined by seven locals who are all passionate about orphans. Our friends joined the staff and board members and visited the Nanjing Orphanage where we hope to soon start a program.  This is the first time that the Chinese utnumbered the westerners. This was an awesome blessing.

The 2011 annual China trip was a tremendous success in large part because of the many new Chinese partners that joined us during the trip.  Two groups traveled through Hubei and Anhui province and met in Nanjing before heading south to Guangxi.  A new support program was started in Fuyang, Anhui Province and new relationships were developed at the Nanjing Orphanage.  Many of the travelers have returned for the last 7 years.  In many places, we have become old friends with orphanage staff and government officials.  Although foster care has caught on in China, many children, particularly those with special needs, remain institutionalized.  GHC continues to encourage orphanages and foster families that foster care can be the best place for children like these.