supporting orphans overseas
they themselves may not live optimally. Besides possessing such amazing personal attributes, many of the orphans are also insanely talented. They can sing opera, dance, conduct an orchestra, do kung fu, play multiple instruments, knit beautiful garments, cut paper into complex designs, write Chito.”
SaiQi orphanage was founded in 1989 by Ms. Xu Yiezhen and has helped nearly six hundred children to date. Today the orphanage cares for 34 children ranging in age from a few
months old to 26 years old. There are ten girls between 7 and 14 who are primarily healthy and attend school; there are also several younger children who will soon begin kindergarten. Chu Chu (age 6, deaf) will be sent to a special school for handicapped children, and Miao Yun (age 7, partially blind) will begin kindergarten with the other younger children.
Current home huge improvement
This was the first time Harvard students visited the orphanage since
its relocation to a nearby six-floor church building. The first floor contains a large playing area with slides and climbing bars. The second floor consists of a kitchen and a dining area where the older children can eat meals together. The third floor has bedrooms and a living room with a television. The fourth floor contains more bedrooms for the older children. The fifth floor houses the nursery for the younger infants and for more disabled children. Both the nursery and the dining area are
equipped with air conditioners; the facilities are spacious, clean,and much improved from the previous house.
However in NingDe they will be exposed to modern city life and attend schools with better resources and teachers. The new building will contain larger classrooms and specially equipped bathrooms for those children who have mobility problems.
The children who received medical treatment in recent months are doing very well. Xiao Bao (age 4), who received surgery in Singapore for a severe case of hypospadius, is now
a healthy, normal boy who is energetic, playful, and bright. Xiao Jun (age 1, girl) had her second cleft palate surgery, and Jun Yu (age 1, boy) had his first cleft lip surgery. These operations were provided gratuitously by hospitals in Fuzhou, but the orphanage had to cover costs for carers, hospital stays for the children, and transportation (amounting to several thousand RMB). Many more need surgery, and Ms. Xu is trying to find willing sponsors to cover hospital fees.
Although a large amount of money is already needed for surgery, Ms. Xu is looking to hire a full-time teacher who is a college graduate and who can tutor the children in
English and other subjects. Most important, the teacher will serve as a positive role model for the children who normally do not have the opportunity to interact with educated young adults.
We can personally say that the children are all so warm and loving that despite the long road ahead of us, the rewards of helping them far outweigh any amount of work. <>
If you wish to sponsor a SiaQi child contact us, or
c/o Eva Liu, President
216 Eliot House Mail Center
Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
