Day 2: XuChang

Today saw more evaluations by our Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist. Aimee and Leslie have already begun working with each child's ayi to teach them how to work with the children. For example, our Kendall has some challenges with eating and her nanny was taught how to use spoon placement to help Kendall more successfully be able to eat off a spoon. She also learned how to position the spoon so Kendall can swallow better.

We put together some of the high chairs our supporters bought to start showing the nannies how to let the kids "work" in the chairs. They will have a chance to feel their food, practice fine motor skills in picking up their food and work on posture and trunk strength as well as head and neck control.

Lunch was amazing again. We are eating in the orphanage cafeteria each day and the cook ( aka chef) is very talented. Today's favorites included an egg and tomato soup, eggplant and tomato dish and chicken and cabbage dishes! We are being well fed!

After nap time, we followed our Amelia on a walk with her ayi. They explored the blossoming trees on the orphanage grounds.

The children are already enjoying their new toys. A bunch of kids rushed to join their ayi who was drumming on our "peanut" which can be used to build core strength. They were so enjoying just having fun with it. The piggy bank with plastic coins was a big hit with kids practicing fine motor skills ( shh! They don't know their play is therapy!) And just putting things in a bucket  and taking them back out again was a good time.

 

 We will have dinner with the head of local civil affairs this week and the orphanage director has invited the media. It will be a way to bring more exposure to the children and the orphanage and perhaps garner more interest from the public in helping orphans.

Each one of the kids we have met are so precious. We are falling in love! Thanks again for your support. We are so lucky to have Aimee and Leslie with us to help these children, train the nannies and help children that will be in their care in the future.

First Hugs Board of Directors Annual Visit to China

All of us at First Hugs would like to wish all our family, friends and supporters a Happy Chinese New Year.  2016 is the year of the Monkey!  We are delighted to report that there has been a buzz of activities happening for the children.          Hurrah! We have finally booked tickets for our annual visit to China. Krista and Moya first visited XuChang Social Welfare Institute in 2010. They had no idea at that time that they would return 5 years later to start a program there. “We were deeply affected by our first visit to XuChang There was a seed planted and it was amazing to us that we ended up there years later!” says First Hugs Executive Director, Moya Smith. This visit will be extra special. Not only will it be our first visit to First Hugs at XuChang, this time we are bringing a pediatric Occupational Therapist, Leslie Brock and a pediatric Physical Therapist, Aimee Ryan. Both women are parents to children from China. Leslie’s daughter was in First Hugs at XinXiang. Follow our trip on our blog or on facebook

Wish List for XuChang Trip Moya and Krista have put together a wish list of items they hope to deliver to the children at XuChang.  We understand that times are tough for everyone, but if you can make one tiny sacrifice it would make such a huge impact! Here is the link in case you would like to contribute: Thank you in advance for helping the children of XuChang!   Click Here to View the Wish List

Update!!!

We have WONDERFUL news to share! Isabella, the sweet little four year old girl who has been in our Gracie's Room program since 2008, has been transferred to Bethel Orphanage last week!

Bethel is the first and only organization targeting the blind orphanage population. We are so very excited for Isabella. It has been reported that she has tolerated the transfer well and is adjusting nicely.

We appreciate your support for Isabella and will continue to take donations for her care. If you or anyone you know would like to continue to support Isabella, please visit our website and make a donation today! There is much needed for her care and we couldn't do it without you, our valued and appreciated supporters! Thanks in advance for your help! As an added bonus to our supporters, any person who makes a donation over $100, will receive a 16" stuffed panda bear in a red chinese dress as our thank you gift! And please keep checking back as we will continue to update you on Isabella's progress at Bethel.