Projects
Cleft Lip Surgery
November 2005- Like many babies in China, Rachel was born with a cleft lip and palate. This disorder is a result of the tissue of the mouth/lip not forming properly during fetal development. Problems are encountered in feeding, ear disease, and speech development. Through contribution of Hope's Heart donors like you, we are able to fund the repair of Rachel's cleft lip. The lip repair can be done at a young age, once the baby has reached 10 pounds and is strong enough to have the surgery. Palate surgery generally occurs when the child reaches about 1 year of age. Rachel is making her way to the 10 pound minimum (she is now 9 pounds). As soon as she reaches this goal, she will be scheduled for lip repair surgery.
December 2005 UPDATE - Rachel's cleft lip surgery has been successfully completed and she has left the hospital. We are thrilled that she has had the opportunity to have this life-changing surgery and thank all of our donors for their continued support to make surgeries such as Rachel's possible.  
Pre and Post Surgery
Surgery Gives New Smile
November 2005- Xia will soon be receiving surgery to repair her cleft lip. Funding was transfered for Xia's need in place of Dong (see May 2005 below) whose adoptive parents will be providing for her surgery. We are grateful for the hope given to these little girls.
March 2006 UPDATE-Xia has had her surgery and now has the biggest smile. Thank you for making the future brighter for this precious little girl.
pre-surgery (left) and post-surgery (right)
April 2007 UPDATE- We just received WONDERFUL news. Xia has been adopted!
Hearing Aids
November 2005- Zi is a cute little boy with a contagious big smile. We had the privilege of meeting him while we were in China this past summer. We are told he has a great personality and loves to play. Hope's Heart is honored to partially fund the cost of special hearing aids which will open the world of sound to his little guy. This month Zi will receive his first set of hearing aids. Be sure to check back for updates and pictures. [Zi had craniofacial surgery in October...funded by another individual/organization].
December 2005 UPDATE- We have received a report that Zi's hearing aids are serving him well. As a result he is 'outgoing and fearless'. We are so happy for this little guy. We often take our hearing for granted. What a gift to be thankful for. Zi will now have the opportunity to experience life in a whole new realm. What a blessing! Thank you.
January UPDATE- Zi was given a chance to hear after receiving special hearing aids a few weeks ago. A program is being put together to help him improve his speech, which has come on a little. He can mimic a number of sounds. There are a few words, such as 'thank you' and 'ayi', that he attempts to say, and he can say 'No' in English!
March UPDATE- Zi has received an overflow of love and attention to his needs over the past year and a half. We are thankful for those who have seen to his care and urgent medical needs. His future is so much brighter. Zi has now gone to live with a foster family who will take over his care and upbringing.
 
Spinal Tumor Surgery
July 2005 - Hope's Heart has provided a portion of the funding for surgery for Luke, a five week old baby boy with a spinal tumor, the same condition that Chun Yi has. Luke will soon have his surgery. Thank you for your continued faithfulness to allow funding of these life changing surgeries.
November 2005 UPDATE- Luke has returned from his hospital stay, is recovering well from his surgery, and putting on weight. A consultation with a US surgeon will determine the need for further surgery. Also, plans are being made for Luke to receive physical therapy in the future upon completion of a new physical therapy unit and training of therapists.
April 2006 UPDATE- Despite severe physical challenges, we are encouraged by this most recent report on Luke. He is very vocal and can sit up supporting himself for a short period. He is inquisitive and reaches for toys placed in front of him. Luke is extremely friendly and responsive to strangers, and has a fabulous giggle. He is receiving outstanding love and care.
 
pre-surgery (left) and post-surgery (center and right)
October 2006 UPDATE- This happy face exhibits the outstanding love and care Luke is receiving. He has started a program of physiotherapy to strengthen his trunk and limbs. He began to crawl in August by creeping along with his elbows. He loves to play with little cars and things that he can push along the ground, responds to his name and understands basic daily words. Luke will point to things if he wants them, as well as calling “mama”. He likes to eat sausages and enjoys drinking yoghurt. He smiles and laughs a lot as he plays and watches the other children. If prompted he will wave goodbye.
October 2006
Spinal Tumor Surgery
June 2005- Daisy, a frail baby girl, is in need of urgent surgery to remove a spinal tumor. The surgery is scheduled for mid-June. Please be in prayer for this little one, and thank you for making her surgery a reality. We will share details as they come in.
July UPDATE - Daisy has undergone her spinal surgery. She remains in the hospital as she developed an infection. Please remember Daisy in your prayers for her complete recovery.
August UPDATE - Daisy has just been released from the hospital. Please continue to pray for her.
November UPDATE- Daisycontinues to rest comfortably from her surgery and is feeding well and putting on weight. Upon the completion of a new physical therapy unit and training of therapist, Daisy will be scheduled to receive therapy.
October 2006 UPDATE- Our hearts are saddened with the loss of Daisy. For nearly a year and a half she has been receiving loving loving care, multiple surgeries and all the medical care possible. After a long struggle with infections, Daisy died this month. We are grateful to her caregivers who loved her so much.
Cornea Surgery For Two
June 2005- The need for corrective surgeries to give new hope to Chinese orphans continues to mount. Your partnership with Hope's Heart is again making life changing differences. We have just released funds to provide cornea surgery for two little girls. Your gift is making this life changing surgery possible. Thank you.
July 2005 UPDATE- One of the little girls, Fei, has received her cornea surgery and is doing very well as she enjoys seeing. She is also now able to learn to read. The sacrificial giving by donors like you has made this miracle possible. Thank you so very much. The other little girl is awaiting a cornea match to become available for her surgery.
December 2005- We are so happy to announce that Miao, the second little girl needing surgery has just completed cornea surgery and will spend about a week in the hospital. She is doing well and we await further updates. We are so thankful for the gift of sight she has been given.
Two Cleft Surgeries
April 2005- We are pleased to announce that we have just released funds to provide TWO more cleft palate surgeries for two additional children! We will be posting more information as we receive notice of these little ones. THANK YOU for helping make this possible.
May 2005 - We are pleased to introduce Dong , from an eastern province in China. She has been identified to receive cleft palate and lip surgery, thanks to your continued support of Hope's Heart. This precious little girl is nine months old. Her surgery will soon be scheduled, and we will keep you updated on her progress.
UPDATE- We have been informed that Dong is being adopted by a family in China who will see to the completion of her surgery. We are grateful she will be loved and cared for by her new parents. See November 2005 (above) for the child (Xia) who will receive the funding for a cleft lip surgery.
May 2005 - Meng is a three year old girl from eastern China who also will soon be undergoing surgery to repair her cleft lip and palate. Meng had heart surgery in 2004. She is now strong enough to schedule cleft surgery.
September 2005 Update- We are pleased to announce that Meng received her cleft surgery last month and is doing well. She is excited with her new look ...and so are we. Not only has her 'look' changed, but she will experience improved speech and hearing. Her paperwork is being prepared to make her a candidate for adoption.
 
Medication Provided
May 2005- Childhood illness can attack at any time. Such was the case in a northeast China orphanage last month. The outbreak of bronchiopneumonia resulted in an urgent need to replenish the stock of nebulizer medication used in the treatment of the children. This medication, Ventolin, is used to open airways giving relief when breathing is difficult. Because of the generous support of donors like you, Hope's Heart was able to provide the orphanage with a new supply of Ventolin.
The First Medical Procedure sponsored by Hope's Heart!!!
March 2005 - We have heard of the transformation made in the life of an orphan through cleft surgery. A child is given a new hope for his/her future because someone cared to help correct this physical need. Hope's Heart is excited to be providing their first medical grant to see another life changed. Yi will soon have a life-changing surgery to repair her cleft lip and palate. Check back as we receive the information of Yi post-surgery. Thank you for helping to make a difference in her life.
April UPDATE- We are happy to report that we have received word that Yi is successfully through her surgery!! Keep posted as we await the 'after' pictures.
May UPDATE- We couldn't be happier for this beautiful little girl. She did remarkably well through the surgery and her recovery. Yi is eating well and gaining weight. Her papers are being prepared for the adoption path. We celebrate how well she is doing, and hope in the future to hear of a referral to a new family.
  
pre-surgery (left) and post-surgery (center and right)
|
top