Shortly after I began my quest to gain all the available information on Chinese adoption, 2 years ago and many, many computer hours later, I read about an American charity called Half the Sky. It seemed like a great opportunity to help a child in need, all I had to do was agree to let them charge my credit card $25 every month and I would receive a quarterly report on the little one they chose for me to sponsor. He/she would receive extra attention and stimulation via a Half the Sky trained caretaker.
We soon received a short profile on the little boy they had matched us with. Although I would never know this child personally, it was a good feeling knowing we were, in a small way, helping him to flourish in a way he might not have otherwise. I thought about him mostly when we received updates, but it wasn’t personal.
Well, now that I am the recipient of some sponsor’s generosity, the mother of a child who was in a Half the Sky program, I can’t put into words the difference that $25 a month made in my daughter’s life.
On ‘gotcha day’ I received a booklet that detailed Sophie’s life from the time she entered the orphanage. It contains pictures, footprints, handprints, details of her life that I would have never had if it weren’t for HTS. I know what day she got her first tooth, when she took her first step. Yes, it’s bittersweet knowing I wasn’t there for those milestones. But it warms my heart to know that the person that was there to witness it loved Sophie very much, enough to carefully detail all those important events in her life.
And more than what Half the Sky has meant to me in terms of tangible mementos and pictures of my daughter’s early childhood, Half the Sky has helped my sweet Sophie become the loving, wonderfully adjusted, happy little girl she is today.
And that is a gift beyond value.
WE have been home with Olivia for almost 6 mos now and have been searching for ways to help the babies left behind. There are sadly so many. We just recently became sponsors to a child from ccai’s foster program and now are going to look into half the sky as well. Thanks for sharing!
P.S The kids and I love your blog of Isabelle and Sophie, they are precious!
Hi Stephanie:
I’ve never posted before, but I just wanted you to have some information. I’ve been a follower of your site for a while now – we are leaving Friday for China to adopt our daughter from Hunan province. I don’t mean to be an alarmist in any way but please be careful with the Power Wheels Jeep. Please check the U.S. Consumer Products Safey Commission (CPSC) site to verify what I am telling you. I know this from working for a law firm that has handled numerous lawsuits regarding the Power Wheels products. The battery chargers have a history of catching fire. They can become overheated during charging and have started house fires on several occassions. The sparks from a Power Wheels (while running) have ignited gasoline that has been stored near them and burned some children. Please do not think I am an alarmist – I just want anyone who has one of these to be aware of the issues regarding the chargers and especially since this is a used Power Wheels you probably don’t know the history of this model. I would not charge it at night or when you are not home. As I said, you can check CPSC to follow up.
You have such a beautiful family and I thank you so much for allowing us to follow your wonderful journey of adoption.
What a great gift!
You inspired me today. I signed up to sposor a little one. Thanks for sharing what a blessing it was for Sophie.
Stefanie, I am so glad you posted about HTS and LWB on your blog. We have posted about these wonderful organizations on our blog, too in the hopes that it would encourage others to donate or sponsor children.
We are so very thankful to the person who took the time to sign up as Brinley’s sponsor. The photos, handprints…..it is the most incredible gift to Brinley and our family. We can’t wait to read all of Rylie’s notes, too!
I love the pic of Sophie at the sink. How cute!!!
Sharon