Holiday Letter from the Orphanage Staff

Dear Fuling Kids International Families,
 

As Christmas is around the corner, please allow me, on behalf of all the staff at the Fuling Social Welfare Institute, to send our festival greetings to all Fuling families.  We send our gratitude to all those who have cared about and helped the Fuling Social Welfare Institute. 
 

Many families who planned trips to see us this summer were stopped this year due to the H1N1 flu.  This development, along with the decrease in adoptions, means we heard less than in the past from our Fuling adoptive families, a situation which we have not gotten used to!  However we think often of you and miss Fuling families and the kids. As a Chinese saying goes, “The road of love never runs smooth”.  
 

My affection and full heart has grown for more than 10 years; Those feelings deepen every time I open the dossiers of adopted kids.  Now I find that one decade has passed since the first adoption, and some of the adopted kids are 10 years old now! Ten years will make a seismic change either to one’s life or career. Our institute has undergone this change too--many local kids have moved into a better home here in Fuling and many children in our care have left Fuling to go to their new homes around the globe, where they enjoy selfless love from their new parents. All these are extraordinary changes. 
 

What inspires and move us is the help and donations from Fuling families and friends represented by FKI during the past 10 years. This financial and material assistance has been a great contribution to the development of the Fuling Social Welfare Iinstitue, making it famous and reputable in Chongqing and even in China. “This honorary badge belongs to all of us”. 
 

Now congenital diseases, especially cerebal palsy, are afflicting most of the “our kids” at the orphanage.  Our current main task is fostering and taking good care of them. Unfortunately, most of them suffer from a lack of early intervention specific to their special needs.  All we can do for the most part at this point is to pay more attention and give them better care. We are deeply aware that it costs much more money and energy to raise a child with a disability. We would be appreciated if all the Fuling families could reach out and help give these kids a better life in Fuling. 
 

Year after year, our passion for Christmas has been deeply engraved in our hearts.  At this Christmas time, we can not help thinking of our distant relatives and friends. Together let’s be happy at Christmas. 
 

Again, dear FKI families and all the kids from Fuling, please accept the most sincere Christmas and New Year greetings from all staff at Fuling SWI. May Christmas bring you everlasting happiness and health. 
 

Chen Hongwei

Director

Fuling Social Welfare Institute, Chongqing

December 2009