The SFCV Journal

Trinity
Chinese: Zhang Zhengjian
Birthday: June 19, 2008
Arrived at SFCV: August 5, 2009
Special Needs: Spinal Tumor (Post Operation)

Number of Sponsors Needed: 10

Trinity is a 13 month old that was born with a meningocele mass in her lower back area.  They did a surgical removal of this defect at about 6 months of age.  As is often the case with this condition, she also developed hydrocephalus and had a shunt operation.  It appears both surgeries were successful although there is some weakness in the left leg and foot.  This is likely due to nerve damage caused by the initial surgery to remove the tumor mass.  It is, however, a minimal complication–with her young age and therapy, we hope to improve her abilities.  Her ayi reports she is crying a lot and we will have to sort out if this is due to pain or just an adjustment issue to new surroundings.  It is often the later and the kids become remarkably different within a few days.

If you would consider sponsoring Trinity for just $35 per month, please e-mail ChildSponsor@ChinaOrphans.org.

Sally
Chinese: Zhang Zhengquan
Birthday: January 20, 2008
Arrived at SFCV: August 5, 2009
Special Needs: Imperforate Anus

Number of Sponsors Needed: 10

Sally is a 20 month old that was born without an anal opening. (The medical term for this is imperforate anus.)  Shortly after birth she had a colostomy operation to provide an opening to the outside.  This was followed by closure of the colostomy and the surgical creation of an anal opening.  In her case it appears these operations were successful.  There remains the surgical scars from the colostomy and anal repair operations on her abdomen.  Otherwise she appears to be a healthy and happy child. The ayi that is caring for her said she may be slightly delayed in her development.  (This is often the case with new arrivals and we usually see dramatic improvements in most children within weeks.)

If you would consider sponsoring Sally for just $35 per month, please e-mail ChildSponsor@ChinaOrphans.org.

Tyler
Chinese: Rao Handong
Birthday: December 1, 2004
Arrived at SFCV: August 4, 2009
Special Needs: Speech, Motor and Mental Delays

Number of Sponsors Needed: 10

Tyler arrived at SFCV with us knowing very little about him beforehand. In addition to the speech, motor, and mental delays, his file also indicates significant hearing loss. Physically he appears healthy with normal weight and height for his age. He also arrived with a rash which our medical team suspected to be a scabies skin infestation. He was treated for that immediately so that he doesn’t pose a risk to the other children and now he is settling into the House of Love.

If you would consider sponsoring Tyler for just $35 per month, please e-mail ChildSponsor@ChinaOrphans.org.

Walter

We’ve had three new arrivals in the last two weeks, and Walter is the second smallest at one month.   He was born with an imperforate anus, and though he has already had a surgery for a colostomy, he will need further surgery in the future.  If you are interested in sponsoring Walter, please contact our sponsorship coordinator at Desiray.Christen@ChinaOrphans.org.

Two are itty-bitty, their little bodies smaller than a loaf of bread.   The oldest, at nearly three, is giggly but mostly immobile.  At six months, another is super-bouncy, no matter if she’s in your lap, in bed or in her bouncy chair.  Brain scans show that six–labled malnourished or developmentally delayed–have cerebral palsy.   They’ve all quickly settled into their new homes at Shepherd’s Field, and the nannies are enjoying having babies in the houses again.

All twelve need eight sponsors each for their daily care.  We hope you’ll consider committing to one of these sweet babies this year by sponsoring one of them or raising up more sponsors in your community.   Until we’ve updated our website, you can contact our sponsorship coordinator at Desiray.Christen (at) ChinaOrphans (dot) org with more information about their individual special needs & how to go about sponsoring them!

Newly arrived babies are always fun.  The nannies scurry into action bathing and pulling out new clothes, tucking the children in as soon as possible for a cosy nap.  December looks to be busy as we say hello to as many as twelve children, including Kasha, Patti, Joey, & Teddy (pictured above).

All of these new children will need sponsors for their daily care.  Contact our sponsorship coordinator, Desiray Christen, with any questions about how to sponsor a child.

It was just a few weeks ago that Kennedy arrived here via a Shanghai hospital.  We had been working with his orphanage to get him in with some visiting American surgeons there.  He had just arrived at the orphanage near the end of the summer, andhe was in immediate need of shunt for his hydrocephalous.  Though the size of his head is a bit startling, it hasn’t affected his thinking or ability to charm the socks of all the nannies and visitors.  We pray that God protects his heart: he is recently abandoned and was clearly much loved.  We don’t know his family’s situation or why they gave him up this summer, but we pray that God continues to comfort them in their grief.  If you are interested in sponsoring Kennedy’s care as he recovers and settles in at Samaritan’s House, please contact us at sponsor @ chinaorphans.org.