In 2017, UNICEF estimated that there were approximately 153 million orphaned children worldwide. Some children were placed into an orphanage system while others were left to fend for themselves. Both situations can be detrimental to the emotional, mental and physical development of children. Unfortunately, children with mental or physical disabilities and children requiring medical intervention are often marginalized, misdiagnosed or mistreated when placed into the orphanage system.
New Hope Foundation, an organization based in China, aims to care for orphaned children who require medical treatment or palliative care. The organization faced significant financial challenges in 2021 due to a decrease in funding as the pandemic affected people’s ability to donate. Further, a major funding source, which donated $2 million per year, announced it would no longer be able to assist New Hope Foundation. As of 2022, despite their financial obstacles, New Hope Foundation continues to take in orphaned infants and children who require special medical care by decreasing expenses while still prioritizing the children’s care. New Hope Foundation was founded by a family medicine doctor and her husband. The organization cares for infants and children by providing not only personal care, but also providing medical treatment for sick children, funding surgical interventions for children with correctable needs and loving care for children who require a palliative approach when they are not expected to survive due to severe medical conditions. The organization operates multiple care facilities to ensure that the children can both play and learn with emotional and physical support. Each nanny working at the organization is trained to respond to the children’s individual requirements. The organization also employs nurses who provide quality care to each child based on their individual medical needs. New Hope Foundation attempts to pattern routines, staff uniforms and facilities to look similar so that children who need to be transferred from one unit to another can have continuity and familiarity regardless of where they are. Here’s How You Can Help in 2022 As a result of financial challenges faced during the pandemic and the loss of their major funding source, New Hope Foundation created a new child sponsorship program. The organization did not want to be dependent on one funding source and sought an arrangement in which they could involve a larger group of families. Child sponsorship is one of those opportunities for people to become involved. The child sponsorship program was simple and cost effective to develop and implement (only 0.1% of their overall expenses). New Hope Foundation wanted to remove financial barriers for people to sponsor, especially during the pandemic when families have lost their jobs or businesses. As such, New Hope Foundation set the amount to sponsor a child at only $10 per month. The organization has a $3 million per year budget, which averages to be $250,000 per month for all expenses. New Hope Foundation would need at least 20,000 sponsors at $10 a month to continue their operations. As of February 2021, New Hope Foundation only received 248 sponsorships with many generous sponsors giving more than the minimum amount. Although this was a significant achievement, the organization did not meet their monthly needs and were required to further reduce expenses and shut down some care facilities. As of December 2021, New Hope Foundation had approximately 228 children in their care. Through the help of their sponsors and donors, New Hope Foundation was able to meet their 575 End of the Year Strong Goal. In the last quarter of 2021, New Hope Foundation received over $575,000 USD in donations which allowed them to cover all their costs for the year. As they embark on 2022 and the unforeseen obstacles ahead, New Hope Foundation encourages anyone to donate or sponsor a child to help them continue their efforts. Whether it be sponsoring one child, giving a one-time donation, or simply spreading the word about their valuable work with children would be crucial to the organization’s ability to survive. New Hope Foundation’s main goal for 2022 is for more people to sponsor one or multiple children, and for their adoption program to receive more applications from people around the world who are ready to love and welcome one of their children into their family. As of March 2022, New Hope Foundation received 2,965 monthly sponsorships and is 85% away from their goal. You can help by going to New Hope Foundation’s website to sponsor a child, cover the cost of a surgery, fund a child’s medical treatment, or donate towards general expenses. If you are able to provide supplies or planning to travel to Beijing, you are encouraged to contact New Hope Foundation to assist in providing supplies that cannot be purchased in China. If you subscribe to their newsletter and have already sponsored a child, thank you! You can take part in their Join NHF (New Hope Foundation) Challenge. Other Ways to Help Children Other organizations that strive toward similar goals are the Ai You Foundation, Love Without Boundaries, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, and Heart for Kids. |
AuthorKatrina Sriranpong is a philanthropist with a passion for aiding disadvantaged children, advocating for refugees from war-torn countries as well as promoting animal rights and protection. Archives
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