Our association with the government orphanage goes back to January 1991, when two women began visiting the children.  At that time it was in a very raw state with bare concrete and trough style latrines.  The children were malnourished, poorly clothed and most had intestinal worms and skin diseases. Most of the children were under stimulated, with the typically lifeless eyes of an orphanage child.

Adoptions have been taking place since 1992.  These have mostly been healthy infant girls.  The quality of infant care has increased greatly since 1996 and many children have been adopted by western parents.  Many children, though, will never be adopted because they are either too old or they are intellectually or physically disabled or both.  These children receive no formal education and little training in life skills.   They also receive little emotional nurturing, since both the welfare system and Chinese culture have generated the idea that disabled children do not have feelings or emotional needs.

Over the years these two women and their friends were able to visit the children, giving them love and attention, basic medical care, extra food and taking them on outings.  They met with teenagers in public places, such as parks, or invited them home to do crafts or cook a meal.  Younger children were less accessible, so were only taken on outings every 4-6 months.  There was so much more, though, that they wanted to do.  During 1993 a vision for a residential school was born.  This would be a way to give these discarded children a new start.

In October 1996, ICC adopted the dream of starting a residential educational and vocational training centre for eighty orphans.  By September of 1997 we gained approval from the Local Government Bureau to commence the project.  There was much testing of faith caused by the many delays in finding a suitable site for a residential school.  Finally, mid-1998 an appropriate site was found and after lengthy negotiations, it was officially secured in September 1998.  After much assistance from many volunteers, the school was ready to receive the first intake of sixteen children in April 1999.  In August another thirteen children arrived and in December another four younger children will join the others.   Admitted in several stages, there will eventually be 80 children and young adults aged from five to twenty three years.

During their time at Living Stones Village, these children and young adults will receive a high quality general education as well as vocational training.  The basic educational program is now in place and eventually it is planned to provide both practical and theoretical training in agriculture, woodwork, building trades such as brick laying, tiling and painting, mechanics, child care, sewing and clerical duties.

The residents of Living Stones Village are being prepared for independent living, with each child participating in community life, including doing chores and housework.  They are also constantly encouraged to try new things, to believe that they can do things and that they are worthwhile.  Old concepts of worthlessness, instilled during their time in the orphanage, have to be gradually replaced by a positive self-image.  Through plenty of love, gentle discipline and encouragement, as well as the work of God in their lives, we seek to help these children to reach their full potential.

About ICC | Hand in Hand | Oasis House | Hope House
Living Stones Village | Opportunities | Contact | Cards