Our Aid Projects
For more than 135 years, Lutheran Social Services of New England has addressed the needs of children, both here and abroad, who are without the security and support of a loving family. This is demonstrated not only in our adoption programs, but in our New England based foster homes, group homes, and teen parent programs, and our aid programs abroad.
China Foster Care Project 2006
In an effort to provide an opportunity for family living to orphans from the Changsha No.1 Social Welfare Institute in China, LSSNE underwrites the cost of foster home placement for children. This project is funded by the humanitarian relief portion of our international adoption program fee.
The orphanage has developed a highly successful program for the recruitment, training, supervision and retention of foster homes and takes great pride in the growth as well as the physical, mental and emotional strides seen in the development of children placed in family settings. With a twinkle in his eye, the orphanage director confided that friendly competition among the foster mothers to provide the best care accounts for much of the success of the program.
A unique feature of the program, apart from the element of competition, is the deliberate ?clustering? of foster families, drawing several families from each of a number of small countryside villages to support each other in the everyday tasks of childcare. A physician from Changsha No.1 travels to a location central to all of the clusters to monitor the progress of each child and provide pediatric care. This ensures consistent medical care and relieves the families of the burden to travel long distances to see the doctor. Though we are beginning with the support of just 10 homes, we anticipate growth in our foster care project as our adoption activity in China expands.
China Tomorrow Plan 2005
Lutheran Social Services of New England joined in CCAA?s massive humanitarian relief project to provide surgeries for 30,000 Chinese orphans to improve their prospects for the future.
China Surgery Project 2004/2005
In cooperation with Changsha No. 1 Social Welfare Institute, LSSNE provided funds for seven children to have needed surgery. Here are some of their stories.
Wang Wu was born on April 5, 1983 and entered the orphanage on May 10, 1983.Because of a congenital hip deformity causing walking to be painful and difficult, she was not able to live on her own so she remained in the orphanage her whole life.She was able to do some chores and was very helpful caring for the younger children. More recently, Wang Wu was able to have hip replacement surgery which has enabled her to walk without difficulty or discomfort.After returning to the orphanage to recover and have rehabilitation services, Wang Wu is now living in an apartment with other young women and working full time.
Zhang Yi was born on December 12, 2002 and entered the orphanage on the same day.Surgery in October has repaired her club foot and she is now able to walk normally.
He Xiaochun was born on February 28, 2004 and entered the orphanage on March 8, 2004.He Xiaochun received surgery to repair a hernia.
Moldova 2005
LSSNE provided funding for a heating system to be replaced in an orphanage in Chisinau.