Vietnam

Holt Vietnam recently hosted a three-day Roots to Grow training for 20 children, ages 14-18, in Dong Nai Province. The Roots to Grow training focuses on exploring nutrition, hygiene and sanitation, and budgeting presented through fun and interactive games, activities, meal preparation and cooking.

The recent training brought a lot of fun for the children and helped them to feel confident in the kitchen. They learned about how different foods protect your body, help you grow and give you energy. Through hands-on time in the kitchen, they also learned practical skills like handling kitchen knives, keeping utensils clean and even how to cook new recipes, like omelets, focaccia bread, bulgogi and apple crisp!

Without learning these essential life skills, it can be extremely difficult for children growing up in poverty to make their way as independent adults. Through the support of sponsors and donors, children in Holt’s programs learn life skills that they need to live healthy, successful lives.

Uganda

In Uganda, maternal and child health camps were recently held at four health centers as well as Holt sponsor and donor-supported early childhood care and development centers. These donor-funded camps offer crucial medical care to children, families and caregivers living in impoverished communities.

The recent maternal and child health camps served 8,250 children and 694 adults, providing interventions such as Vitamin A supplementation, deworming and health education through Holt’s Child Nutrition Program. Children and families also received treatment for prevalent conditions including malaria, chronic coughs, influenza and skin infections. Children with more complex health issues were referred to health specialists.

Thanks to the support of sponsors and donors, families receive one-on-one support and benefit from community events— like camps — that provide training to help them nurture their child’s growth and development. When children are healthier, they are more likely to meet developmental milestones, perform better in school and their families miss less work — enabling them to earn more income for their household!

China

In China, Holt’s family strengthening programs focus on education to lift children and families out of poverty. Child sponsors and donors provide the critical support needed to help children attend school for as long as possible — creating generational change for thousands of families.

During August, ten students from the Shangyi Family Strengthening (FS) program attended a five-day summer camp held by the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Jiangxi Province. Through the generosity of Holt donors, these students attended the summer camp free of cost.

The field trip included hands-on aeronautic and astronautic experiences, inspiring the students to develop their professional skills and explore possible career paths. For children in Holt programs, experiences like these help broaden their horizons beyond the limited career opportunities they witnessed growing up in impoverished communities.

Cambodia

According to Holt-supported students in Cambodia, donors and sponsors are making a big difference.

Recently, students were given an assessment through the Educational Support Program (ESP) in Phnom Penh. All students reported that Holt Cambodia’s ESP has helped them remain in school, with 86.96% strongly agreeing and 13.04% agreeing. Furthermore, almost all children (91.3%) who participated in the assessment strongly agreed and 8.7% agreed that ESP support has motivated them to pursue higher education.

In late July, 83 children in the ESP completed their Grade 9 National Diploma Exams and 71 successfully passed to Grade 10. Without support from Holt sponsors and donors, many of these children would have dropped out as early as in primary school. For children growing up in poverty around the world, education is the key to a brighter future.

Become a Child Sponsor

Connect with a child. Provide for their needs. Share your heart for $43 per month.

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The post Notes from the Field: September 2025 appeared first on Holt International.

Introducing our new monthly giving community: Food Every Day!

Be the reason a child eats — for just 50 cents a day.

When you join Food Every Day, you become the reason a child gets to grow up healthy and strong — and in many cases, the reason they get to stay with their family.

Families living in poverty work hard to keep food on the table — but too often, it’s still not enough. And when crises like job loss, illness or drought strike, the need becomes even more urgent. Parents struggle to provide even the most basic necessity for their children: food every day.

For a child facing hunger, food isn’t just a meal — it’s a lifeline.

When you provide Food Every Day, you will:

Make a Lasting Difference — By extending your impact beyond a one-time gift, no child will ever wonder where their next meal will come from.

See Your Impact — Get monthly text and email updates about children who are thriving because of you!

Stay Connected — Receive our print newsletter featuring heartwarming stories and photos from around the world.

Give with Ease — Automatic contributions make giving smooth, ensuring no child is left waiting and hungry.

As a member of FED, you ensure a child has the daily meals they need to grow, learn and dream. You will nourish their mind and body, help them catch up in their development — and bring their joyful giggles back!

You Can Help a Hungry Child

When you give Food Every Day, you not only help a child learn, play and grow — you help keep their family together.

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The post Giving Them Food Every Day appeared first on Holt International.

Six-year-old Esen couldn’t hold a crayon in his hand when he arrived at kindergarten in Mongolia. Esen has cerebral palsy and using fine motor skills was a big challenge, making eating, drawing and moving around independently difficult. He would often cry and get easily frustrated…

But because of sponsors and donors like you, Esen received the special education support he needed. And things changed drastically!

His teachers provided proper support for his disability, and Esen gained the confidence and encouragement he needed to thrive. Through school lunch and feeding support, he received the nutrients his body needed and — with hard work — he learned how to hold a spoon on his own! His appetite, immune system and overall development have improved dramatically!

Through your support for Holt’s educational programs, Esen received the guidance and care that made all the difference. His motor skills have improved so much that he has become quite the artist! He once struggled to hold a pencil — now he colors vivid shapes and drawings with crayons. He is such a creative, cheerful little boy! Thank you for helping Esen rise to his fullest potential.

Send a Child to School

Every child deserves a chance to learn — help children in poverty get an education.

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The post You Brightened His World appeared first on Holt International.

When Liên was a little girl, her mother would carry her from street to street, asking passersby for coins and food scraps.

At night, Liên shivered — sleeping with only a thin piece of cloth to keep warm…

Her mother, who had intellectual disabilities, loved Liên deeply and did everything she could to care for her. But her own challenges made it difficult to meet Liên’s complex needs. Living on the streets of a coastal city in Vietnam, sometimes selling lottery tickets or trinkets, she wasn’t earning enough income to meet even basic needs — let alone specialized care for her daughter.

Liên could walk and manage basic hygiene, but she struggled to communicate and learn like other children her age. Her mother felt overwhelmed by her limitations and unsure how to provide the care her daughter needed.

Recognizing the difficulty of the situation, compassionate neighbors suggested that Liên might receive the help she needed at a children’s center. While it meant that she would no longer live with her mother, moving Liên away from the harsh realities of street life gave her the possibility of a safer, more hopeful future.

A New Chapter

When she arrived at the children’s center, Liên was welcomed with open arms by a team of dedicated caregivers.

With expertise in nutrition and health, special needs and child development, Liên’s caregivers could provide the care and support she needed to grow and develop. They identified her unique challenges and began creating a tailored care plan that focused on her health and building basic life skills.

One of the first steps of Liên’s new journey was supporting her physical health. Regular health screenings became part of her routine. The center’s medical staff conducted nutritional assessments to ensure she was receiving the necessary vitamins to support her growth and overall well-being. These assessments are crucial for early intervention — addressing health conditions such as anemia and other deficiencies.

Through the center’s partnership with Holt Vietnam, caregivers are trained in feeding techniques, monitoring health benchmarks and creating daily routines and activities for children with disabilities. Because of donor support for the Molly Holt Fund, these trainings are made possible, and children receive the specialized, nurturing care they need to thrive.

Safe and Supported

After living on the streets, Liên’s adjustment to life at the children’s center took time. In the early days, she was content to be alone, sitting in the corner and taking little interest in the activities around her. She seemed focused on her interior world, occasionally watching other children play.

Liên’s caregivers were patient, knowing that she needed time to feel safe, secure and comfortable in her new environment.

Slowly, with gentle encouragement and reassurance, she began to show signs of progress. Liên practiced feeding herself — first with finger foods, then with utensils. She struggled, often spilling food, but her caregivers knew that Liên needed to learn at her own pace.

Over time, she became more adept at holding a spoon and fork. Not only could she start eating without assistance, but she also began to grow in confidence.

Liên was also shown how to dress herself. And with time, she learned how to dress independently. She learned how to zip her jacket and tie her shoelaces — significant achievements for children with special needs.

Growing in Confidence

Liên’s progress with self-care was transformational, but she often distanced herself from the other children. She would sit quietly during group activities, occasionally glancing at her peers but not engaging with them.

Eager to help Liên connect with others her age, her caregivers remained optimistic and patient. They continued to involve her in simple group activities, such as drawing, coloring and singing.

Slowly, Liên began to engage with other children. As she began to feel more comfortable, she grew in her social confidence each day. Soon she started to join in activities without hesitation and even began to initiate simple conversations with her peers.

But Liên’s ability to communicate and express her emotions was limited. Her caregivers encouraged her to express herself in different ways — through art, music and movement.

Ms. Thuy, one of Liên’s primary caregivers, says she is hopeful for Liên’s future.

“[Liên] is a fighter,” Ms. Thuy says. “Every step forward is hard-won, but she never gives up. I see so much potential in her and we are committed to helping her discover it.”

Helping Her Shine

Today, Liên is 11 years old, and she continues to grow each day.

The caregivers at the children’s center remain her biggest supporters, cheering her on with each victory.

“She has shown us all what true resilience looks like,” Ms. Thuy says. “Every child deserves a chance to shine and [Liên] is shining in her way. We are honored to be part of her story.”

Every child’s path is different, and Liên’s path is uniquely hers — and it’s one paved with hope because of your help.

Making a Difference

It is through the continuous support of sponsors and donors like you that Liên is receiving the specialized care she needs to thrive.

But while she continues to receive support and make progress, many children like Liên are still waiting — left without the opportunities and care they deserve. Her story is not an isolated one — it reflects a broader challenge faced by children with disabilities in the places where Holt works.

Private special needs programs, when available, are financially out of reach for orphaned and vulnerable children, whether they live in an orphanage or with their families struggling in poverty.

You can help children with medical and special needs who are left with no other options. Donate today to help provide care, healing and hope for a brighter future.

Your gift will help provide medical treatments, surgeries, specialized feeding assistance, therapies, adaptive equipment like wheelchairs, special education and so much more.

Every child deserves compassionate care that reminds them they are deeply loved and valued. Together, we can bring lasting change for children like Liên and help them shine.

Give to the Molly Holt Fund

Your gift helps a child with special needs receive the surgery, medicines, and specialized care they need!

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The post Helping Liên Shine appeared first on Holt International.

Your generosity helps children all around the world receive the nurturing care and support they need to grow and thrive.

Last year, your gifts provided essential healthcare and met critical medical needs — including lifesaving surgeries — for over 131,900 children. You also helped provide specialized care and support for 2,280 children with disabilities who are living in orphanages or in poverty with their families. None of this would have been possible without your compassionate heart for children in need.

Whether it’s life-changing medical treatments for conditions like cleft lip and palate or congenital heart disease — or specialized feeding assistance, therapies or special education for children with special needs — your gifts make a powerful difference! Every child deserves compassionate care that reminds them they are deeply loved and valued. Thank you for seeing these children, and for providing the vital care they need.

Here are just a few of the children you’ve helped care for over the past 10 years!

Feeding Support for Jin in China

See Jin’s progress in the video below!

Surgery and Therapy for Arban in Mongolia

Heart Surgery for Luli in China

Physical Therapy for Jolie in Mongolia

Cleft Lip Surgery for Rebekah in China

Disability Support for Giang in Vietnam

Deworming Medication for Kissa in Uganda

Heart Surgery for Lai in China

Carrying on Molly’s Legacy

Just as Molly gave her life “to the things that she loves with her whole heart,” we’re so grateful you share her heart for children with special needs.

To continue Molly’s selfless legacy, send a gift to the Molly Holt Fund today to make a lasting impact on the life of a child with special needs!

Give to the Molly Holt Fund

Your gift helps a child with special needs receive the surgery, medicines, and specialized care they need!

Help a child now

The post Each Child Seen and Loved appeared first on Holt International.

Altan is a happy little boy who spends his days at school, playing with friends, learning new skills and thoroughly enjoying mealtimes. But just a few years ago, Altan’s life — and future — looked quite different.

When Altan was born to his family in Mongolia, he had a twin sibling. But shortly after birth, Altan’s twin passed away, and his father abandoned his mother — leaving her to care for her infant son alone. Enduring loss and abandonment, Altan’s mother faced yet another challenge: Altan was born at just 4.8 pounds and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that has impaired his muscular growth and development. By the time he was 18 months old, Altan could not sit up on his own, roll over or crawl, and he needed support to eat. Ultimately, his delays affected his ability to receive the nutrition he needed to stay healthy and grow.

Altan’s mother tried everything she could to help her little boy, but he was constantly sick and severely malnourished. With little support, she began to feel physically and emotionally exhausted. The demands of being a single mother caring for a young child with a disability were adding up. Feeling ill-equipped to meet his needs, Altan’s mother considered placing her son in an orphanage. But with a final ounce of strength, she continued to search for help.

Finding Help — and Hope

One day, Altan’s mother discovered a daycare center in her community that cared for children with disabilities. Partnering with Holt Mongolia, the daycare staff had received Holt’s innovative Child Nutrition Program (CNP) training, through which they had learned how to properly feed and nourish children with disabilities. Because of this training, the daycare center was able to welcome Altan and recognize the window of opportunity and interventions he needed to grow and thrive.

Like Altan, many of the children who enter Holt’s CNP are malnourished, anemic or struggling with feeding difficulties. Many have disabilities or chronic conditions, putting their health and development in jeopardy. But since it began in 2014, Holt’s child nutrition program has reached thousands of children with holistic nutrition and feeding interventions uniquely designed to meet their needs.

“Our targeted approach focuses on reaching the most vulnerable children early in life,” says Emily DeLacey, PhD, RDN, LDN, Holt’s director of nutrition and health services. “About 25% of the children we serve have a disability, and more than 60% are under the age of 5 — a crucial developmental period for growth.” Unless they receive the essential nutrition they need during this critical period, children face irreversible consequences to their development and overall wellbeing.

The CNP embraces the philosophy that how children eat is just as important as what they eat. While eating may seem intuitive to many, it can be far more complex for infants and children with disabilities. Through CNP training, our feeding specialists empower caregivers with safe feeding techniques tailored to children of different ages and abilities. This approach encourages caregivers to consider key factors, such as positioning, sensory needs and the feeding environment. Additionally, caregivers learn to conduct nutrition and health assessments, enabling them to monitor each child’s unique nutritional needs, track growth and provide personalized support.

Caregivers at the Holt-supported daycare center in Mongolia used these skills to assess Altan. They realized that every time he ate, he was experiencing aspiration as bits of food and fluid entered his lungs. Unsafe feeding practices can have many severe consequences, from aspiration and poor nutrient absorption to pneumonia, choking, emotional trauma and other psychological and developmental ailments. That’s why improving feeding practices — or changing how children are fed — is critically important. Like many children with disabilities, Altan became chronically ill due to being fed in unsafe positions. But with hands-on training, ongoing expert support and resources like Holt’s Feeding and Positioning Manual, teachers and caregivers knew that they could help Altan — and empower his mom with training and support to help her son thrive.

Recognizing that Altan needed immediate care, the CNP team in Mongolia quickly took action. They helped him sit upright in supportive seating and introduced safe feeding techniques to prevent choking or aspiration. Ensuring he had access to nutritious foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, they provided the foundation for his growth. With the right support and therapy, Altan gradually developed essential skills like chewing, swallowing, crawling and walking. Over time, with the dedication of his care team, he grew stronger. Eventually, he could sit up on his own, stand independently and even communicate with his mother, caregivers and friends, marking incredible progress on his journey.

About 25% of the children we serve have a disability, and more than 60% are under the age of 5 — a crucial developmental period for growth.

Emily DeLacey, PhD, RDN, LDN, Holt’s director of nutrition and health services

Altan also was able to thrive thanks to the generous support that Holt donors have provided to the Molly Holt Fund. The Molly Holt Fund is named in honor of Molly Holt, daughter of Holt’s founders and a nurse who dedicated her life to caring and advocating for children and adults with disabilities and special needs around the world. Donations to the fund go toward everything from life-changing surgeries and medical care to rehabilitative therapies and special education to Holt’s innovative child nutrition program trainings for children in orphanages, foster families or living with their birth families in the countries and communities where Holt works. In short, your generosity has made a world of difference to children like Altan.

Full of Smiles and Laughter

Today, after two years in the child nutrition program, Altan is healthier and stronger than ever before. Not only is he getting the proper nutrition to stay healthy, but he is also enjoying mealtimes! Full of smiles and laughter, he eagerly exclaims, “Let’s eat!” before digging into his favorite dishes. Fueled with good nutrition and stronger than ever, Altan enjoys being an active 3-year-old, going to school and playing with his friends.

Thanks to Holt’s generous donors who support the CNP, Altan’s life has been forever changed, and he’s not alone. Each year, thousands of children benefit from this life-changing program. From simple, cost-effective changes to improve the position of children during mealtimes to caregivers using our growth and health monitoring system to accurately meet each child’s needs, these interventions dramatically impact the health and wellbeing of children across the globe. Over the past 10 years, Holt’s innovative child nutrition program has expanded its reach to more than 110 sites in eight countries.

For a child like Altan, the entire trajectory of his life has changed, allowing him to soar beyond his limited beginnings and experience all of the joys that life can bring. Not only that, but his improved health has contributed to a stronger, more stable family. His mother is no longer fearful and stressed about Altan’s health and her ability to care for him. Instead, she is proud of the progress her son has made —and confident in their future together!  

Give to the Molly Holt Fund

Your gift helps a child with special needs receive the surgery, medicines, and specialized care they need!

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The post Altan is Thriving, Thanks to You! appeared first on Holt International.

Colombia

Bambi, Holt’s partner organization in Colombia, recently held a workshop for parents and caregivers enrolled in its PROMEFA family strengthening program. During the workshop, mothers in the program learned how to create a “life timeline,” allowing them to understand where they are in life, their priorities and resources available to them. The program also helped mothers determine how they want to live their lives in order to end generational cycles of conflict and poverty. With the support of the group, the women expressed motivation to take steps to achieve their life and family goals.

Parenting education is an important pillar of Holt’s work in Colombia. Thanks to the support of sponsors and donors, families living in vulnerable, impoverished communities are receiving the help and resources they need to create a safe, secure and supportive environment for their children.

Ethiopia

Since 2017, Holt donors have supported an early childhood care and development (ECCD) program in an impoverished region of southern Ethiopia. Through this program, 1,500 children are able to receive a critical preschool education in a safe and nurturing environment while their parents work during the day.

Recently, through Holt’s Gifts of Hope program, families whose children attend the ECCD centers received gifts of chickens as well as the supplies to raise them. Raising livestock such as chickens can improve a family’s food security and create income-generating opportunities. For example, within a few months of hatching, chickens begin laying eggs, providing protein and other vital nutrients to growing children and families. In addition, families can sell their eggs or full-grown chickens at the market for a profit, using the money they earn to buy food and other essential items for their family. They can also invest their profits into raising more chickens, thus expanding their business and improving their long-term livelihood.

India

In March, Holt’s long-standing partner in Pune, Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK), held Holi celebrations for children who receive services through all four of its Holt-supported centers. Known as the springtime festival of colors, Holi is a major holiday in India. The children who receive services through BSSK either live at the center or in impoverished communities in and around Pune. As they rarely receive anything extra, the Holi celebrations were a special treat!

During the party, the children engaged in fun games and activities, which included dousing one another with vibrant colored powders known as “gulal.” The colored powders symbolize the arrival of spring and new beginnings. The Holi celebration strengthened bonds and spread happiness between the children and BSSK staff and reinforced the holiday’s spirit of unity, joy and festivity.

Uganda

Holt Uganda staff recently visited women in six rural communities to provide maternal health outreach and services. Thanks to your support, 1,995 women received health education materials, 330 pregnant mothers were tested for anemia and 256 pregnant mothers were given prenatal vitamins.

In late 2024, 60 health workers in Uganda received a revised version of Holt’s Child Nutrition Program Community Flipbook, which is used to support education for families on proper nutrition and health practices as well as child development and disabilities. Health workers from Holt partner health centers, Holt village health teams and Holt Uganda staff received training on how to use the new flipbooks, and each participating health center received a revised copy. During their recent visit to the six communities, Holt Uganda staff used the flipbooks to educate mothers on important issues of maternal and children’s health, including prenatal care and malnutrition.

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The post Notes from the Field: April 2025 appeared first on Holt International.

Right now, Holt International is facing an urgent financial shortfall of $1.4 million. If we don’t close the funding gap by April 30, we will be forced to make heartbreaking decisions — reducing the number of children and families we serve and cutting programs that provide vital care and resources.

You are probably aware of the pause the government has placed on international funding through USAID, which many humanitarian programs overseas rely on. In many places, Holt is now one of the few organizations — if not the only one — that can help children in need.

But first, we must overcome this critical shortfall.   

Your support will ensure no child is turned away from the love and care they need.

Educational Support at Risk for Children in Mongolia

Overlooking Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia is the city’s largest garbage dump. Here, a whole community of children and families survive on what they can find in the refuse — whether bits of food they can eat or items they can sell. They live in makeshift homes on the edge of — and sometimes inside of — the dump. For children growing up in such dire poverty, you help to provide a special sanctuary — a place where they can take a warm shower, eat a nourishing meal and receive an education that will help them escape a life in the garbage dump.  

Your support provides school supplies, nutritious meals and social work support to help more than 200 children attend this special place called the Red Stone School. Instead of gathering and selling refuse in the garbage dump, these children are receiving enrichment in school each day.

But without your support to overcome the shortfall, children in Mongolia may lose the critical support they need to stay in school.

Vital Medical Care for Women and Children in Uganda

Every day, 300 infants and 20 mothers die from preventable causes in Uganda — and the rate is even higher in rural areas. Infant and maternal mortality is often attributed to delays in seeking care, delays in proximity to a health facility and delays in receiving adequate treatment.

But through your faithful support, you have helped make it possible for our team in Uganda to host Child Health Days for pregnant women and children living in rural communities where care is less accessible. You’ve provided the resources for village health workers to go door-to-door in communities to screen mothers and children for malnutrition, provide essential supplements and vaccinations, offer resources and education and encourage prenatal care and nutrition.

Recently, through this outreach program, you helped provide lifesaving care for one sick mother and her child who was dangerously underweight.

Approximately 150,000 children and 5,000 pregnant women are provided life-changing medical assistance in Uganda each year. Without the funds to continue serving pregnant women and infants, we’ll be forced to reduce critical medical services in Uganda.

Nurturing Foster and Kinship Care for Vulnerable Children in Cambodia

In Cambodia, thousands of children are growing up in orphanages. Many of them have living relatives who could care for them if given the resources. In recent years, with funding from USAID and other grant organizations, Holt began working alongside other organizations to help move these children from institutions into more nurturing care settings.  

Through kinship care, Holt works to reunite children with their birth families — if not parents, then aunts or uncles or grandparents who can provide the kind of loving, attentive care that children just don’t receive in institutions. Your support helps provide the tools and resources these families need to care for the child — such as food support, school supplies, counseling and even job skills training for the adults.

Not every child has a family member who can care for them, however. For these children, Holt developed another alternative — foster care. Foster care ensures a child has a nurturing, safe and family-like home where they can grow and develop while they wait to reunite with their birth family or join a family through domestic adoption. Through your generous donations, you have helped support children so they have everything they need to thrive while in the care of a loving foster parent — from food and clothing to critical medical care.

Due to a loss in federal funding, this program is now at risk.

Without your help overcoming the $1.4 million funding gap, orphaned and vulnerable children in Cambodia may lose the nourishing food, safe shelter and nurturing care they need to thrive.

Emergency Medical Care Around the Globe

For children around the world with urgent medical needs, medical care isn’t an option — it’s essential.  

Many children are sick when they first enter orphanage care, which can often be attributed to underlying medical conditions, special needs, chronic hunger and the overall impoverished conditions they lived in before coming into care. Upwards of 40% of children are malnourished when brought into care and approximately 25% of children come into care with a medical need or disability.

Your generosity ensures that children who need urgent medical interventions, like heart surgeries or cleft palate surgeries, receive the lifesaving or life-changing care they need. No child should go without the critical care they need and deserve. That’s why we must bridge this gap together.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to ensuring no child or family is turned away because of the funding shortfall. Through your compassion and generosity, we can continue working toward a world where every child can grow and thrive in a loving, secure home.

Help a Child in Greatest Need

Give emergency help to a child who is hungry, sick or living in dangerous conditions. Your gift will provide the critical food, medical care, safety and more they need when they need it the most.

Donate

The post No Child Should Be Turned Away appeared first on Holt International.

Shui arrived at Peace House when she was just 3 years old. Her silvery-white hair rested delicately under her sunhat, and behind her thick-brimmed sunglasses were soft eyes. Shui has albinism, a condition that presents both medical and social challenges in her home country of China.

She had just undergone a liver transplant — a major operation requiring proper after-care to ensure full recovery. Before the procedure, she had been living in an orphanage, but when her liver began failing, she needed urgent care. Many children who return to orphanages after critical medical procedures struggle to fully recover due to a lack of specialized care, often developing infections, open wounds and severe scarring.

Because of donor support for Peace House, Shui was transferred to a safe, warm sanctuary where she could heal.

Holt’s Medical Foster Home in China

Peace House is a special medical foster home in Northeast China. Holt began overseeing Peace House in 2011, but a lot has changed since those early days. The medical foster home was once located in the heart of Beijing, inside a high-rise apartment. The home welcomed nine children at a time, serving 30-40 each year. But recently, Peace House has transitioned to sharing a campus with an orphanage north of the city. With this change, Peace House has opened its doors to more children, now providing a home for up to 14 at a time.

The children now have the opportunity to spend time outdoors, something they couldn’t do in Peace House’s previous 31-story building in the city. Since Peace House shares a campus with the orphanage, children in the medical foster home can join in the fun activities organized by the orphanage, including holiday dances and celebrations. Caregivers also have more capacity to focus on providing specialized medical care, as the orphanage now handles food services and other basic needs. Before, caregivers were responsible for everything — cooking, laundry and more. These changes have allowed Peace House to impact more children in need of medical care, an opportunity made possible through the generosity of donors.

Overcoming Developmental Delays

When Shui arrived at Peace House, her self-care and motor skills were behind those typical for her age. She was unable to hold a spoon by herself or put on her own socks and shoes. Shui depended on caregivers for almost all her needs.

Early childhood care is critical to ensuring a child reaches developmental milestones. Without proper medical care, physical attention and nutrition, the effects of underdevelopment can be permanent. Institutionalization substantially increases the risk of delays. Children can experience developmental delays of a month for every three months they’re in an orphanage. But in nurturing foster homes like the ones Holt donors support in China and other countries, children receive the attentive care they need to reach critical milestones. In China, Holt donors support a number of group homes, including specialized homes for children with special needs — such as HIV.  And of course, Peace House.

After just two weeks of one-on-one care at Peace House, Shui developed the ability to feed and dress herself. And as time has passed, Shui has become more independent in caring for herself, even regarding her medical needs.

Living With Albinism in China

Shui’s white skin and hair set her apart from those around her, creating a stark contrast in appearance. She is often seen wearing sunglasses — and sometimes a sunhat — to protect her skin and eyes from the harsh effects of sunlight. Albinism, which causes a lack of melanin in the skin, significantly raises the risk of skin cancer. The absence of melanin also affects how she processes light, contributing to low vision and nystagmus, an involuntary movement of the eyes. As someone who is legally blind, Shui will likely need vision support throughout her life and may be unable to perform certain tasks, such as driving.

While Shui faces certain limitations due to her condition, visual support and accessibility adaptations will help her confidently navigate daily life. In China, those with albinism have historically faced social ostracization and discrimination. As albinism is often seen as a symbol of bad luck, babies born with this condition are sometimes abandoned. As they grow, these children are typically excluded from traditional educational institutions and have limited career opportunities. This is especially challenging in a society that highly values educational and occupational success.

There are efforts to change the stigma of albinism in China. Organizations like Chinese Organization for Albinism are working to raise awareness and advocate for those with the condition. Their initiatives focus on providing medical aid, mental health support and crucial information to individuals with albinism and their families. The organization hopes to educate Chinese society about the medical aspects of albinism, which affects an estimated 100,000 people in the country. Care for the marginalized is also at the heart of Holt International’s mission — and Shui is just one of many who deserve love and care.

Shui’s Surgery and Recovery

Although albinism shapes Shui’s daily life, it was her urgent liver needs that brought her to Peace House. After undergoing a liver transplant, Shui needed ongoing care that her orphanage simply couldn’t provide. Thankfully, Peace House has made a world of difference to her future.

Without treatment, infected livers are unable to regenerate tissue and eventually fail. While in care at her orphanage, Shui was able to find a match and receive a healthy liver. The journey doesn’t end there, though, which is why Peace House is instrumental in helping children recover from medical procedures and providing support for children living with lifelong medical conditions.

In the first year following her surgery, Shui underwent frequent tests to monitor for signs of possible liver rejection. She began her twice-daily immunosuppressant medication regimen to help her body accept her new liver — which is a lot for a 3-year-old to undergo. Dedicated caregivers at Peace House helped Shui recover by administering her medications, performing needed tests and providing for her meals and basic needs.

In the time since her surgery, Shui has continually been impacted by her liver transplant. She continues to take immunosuppressants daily and has monthly check-ups to monitor the function of her liver. Along with the challenges of her liver, her albinism will be a lifelong journey, with her vision continuing to pose obstacles in her daily activities. She currently needs glasses but due to her nystagmus, she cannot be fitted for glasses until she is older. This leaves her in need of assistance while navigating daily tasks. Shui will continue to live at Peace House for another year, where she will receive care and learn to manage her medical needs as independently as possible. After completing her stay with Peace House, Shui will return to the orphanage, where she will attend school and continue to receive medical care from orphanage caregivers.

Shui’s Future Growing Up in an Orphanage in China

Through the generosity of Holt donors, Peace House has supported Shui through her early childhood development and a major medical procedure. She is continuously learning to manage her needs as a liver transplant survivor and a girl with albinism. Her caregivers aim to help her achieve independence as she progresses. As for her long-term future, Shui must continue to overcome adversity.

Last August, after more than 30 years, China decided to end its international adoption program. This policy change has altered the future of many children, particularly those with medical and special needs. Holt International hopes for international adoption to one day resume in China, as the need for international adoption persists. In the meantime, some children living in orphanages may be adopted domestically in China. But in reality, it is most often the youngest, healthiest children who are adopted by families within China.  As a child considered to have special needs, Shui is unlikely to be adopted domestically in China.

Because of this reality, the care Peace House has provided for Shui makes all the difference for her future. Through Peace House, she has received nurturing, ongoing care that she likely would never have otherwise received. She has made strides in her development, overcoming adversity and growing in her ability to function independently. While Shui may spend the rest of her childhood in an institution, her healthy development with Peace House caregivers will impact the rest of her life. At 5 years old, Shui is a curious and caring little girl who loves to help and share her toys with others. Peace House has given Shui a voice, which she uses to sing — even incorporating Peking opera into her repertoire from time to time.

As Shui returns to an orphanage with resilience, more children living in orphanages with medical needs will experience the haven of Peace House. Because of the generosity of donors sharing their hearts, more children will heal and overcome seemingly unsurmountable odds to live healthy lives.

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The post A Haven of Healing and Peace appeared first on Holt International.

*Due to the sensitivity of this story, we have covered Dao’s face online.

Meet Dao, a sweet girl with big, round cheeks and a toothy smile. One-year-old Dao has just figured out how to climb onto the sofa, and the sparkle in her eyes shows how proud she is of her new skill. Dao lives in southern Thailand in the care of her loving family. But life has not always been this way. Dao’s first year was filled with adversity.

Her mother and father, New and Sing, met through their shared use of methamphetamines. Not long after, New discovered she was pregnant with Dao. They stayed together through most of New’s pregnancy until Sing’s drug use made him aggressive, leading to their separation.

In October 2023, Dao was born. When the doctors performed their newborn tests, amphetamines were found in her system. As her mother continued using methamphetamines, her care for Dao waned. Rather than providing breastmilk or formula, she fed Dao varying amounts of sweetened condensed milk. This substitute has become a common issue in Thailand, often due to limited access to accurate information about child nutrition. When the time came for a fresh diaper, Dao would sit for hours in her soiled clothes. Because of this, Dao developed red rashes where the wet diapers clung to her skin. New would disappear for long periods, leaving baby Dao with neighbors.

A Lifeline for Children

Dao’s neglect is not an isolated case. It’s part of a larger, heartbreaking cycle fueled by substance abuse. Methamphetamines are rampant in Thailand where a single tablet can be purchased for as little as 10 cents. This epidemic of substance abuse plagues nearly 60,000 adults. Especially in impoverished communities where many people treat meth like coffee, using it for energy and to increase their ability to work long hours. But before long, this pervasive substance takes hold, trapping its victims in addiction, ripping apart families and passing its devastation down through generations.

Many children are affected by substance abuse, from babies born addicted to drugs to teenagers who use substances and then drop out of school. While the meth epidemic continues to devastate families, Holt Sahathai Foundation (HSF), Holt’s partner organization in Thailand, offers a lifeline to children and families affected by substance abuse. HSF supports children by providing foster care, nutrition support, education, parental counseling and classes, community support, and by helping to reunite children with family members who can care for them. Donor support is critical for children in Thailand, like Dao, who lack the care and support they need to thrive.

Finding a Loving Family for Dao

New’s neighbors soon became concerned with Dao’s condition and urged her to place Dao in the care of her extended family. Wanting her daughter to be safe and loved, New brought Dao to her parents, but they were already caring for some of New’s other children — and they could not commit to caring for Dao. They contacted HSF for help, requesting that Dao be placed in an HSF foster home. Because family strengthening and reunification is always Holt’s first goal, our local partner worked to keep Dao in the care of family members. Far too often, children around the world are separated from their families due to poverty, illness and other hardships. But at Holt, we strive to ensure a stable, loving family for every child, and we believe that children should have every opportunity to grow up in the love and care of their birth family before we ever consider domestic or international adoption for them.

After continuing the search for extended family, Dao’s paternal grandparents, Sao and Pong, stepped forward to care for Dao.

Providing Nurturing Care

Dao’s grandparents have been working with Holt for almost a year now. In that time, they have provided nurturing care for Dao, helping nurse her to health. She has made strides with growth and development benchmarks. She eats three meals a day, sleeps through the night and has learned to brush her teeth with the help of her grandmother. Dao is a confident little girl, walking well and climbing on sofas and stairs with pride. She has learned to say “food,” “milk” and “water” and has a cheerful personality. Her healthy development has been made possible by generous donors sharing their hearts and contributing funds to strengthen families around the world.

Sao and Pong have worked closely with social workers through HSF’s family development programs. The grandparents are currently a part of HSF’s newborn-to-3-years program, which provides milk formula and health monitoring for Dao. HSF programs have also helped them with childcare skills, provided them with community support through parent groups and assisted them with completing paperwork for Dao. Home visits and emotional support for the grandparents have helped them care for Dao, with HSF utilizing casework to help guide the family towards a self-sustainable future.

The Impact of Family Strengthening  

Sao and Pong hope to raise Dao in the best possible environment, believing that a loving and nurturing childhood is crucial for growth. They want her to have good health, an education and a career, while fostering close family bonds. They also hope Dao’s father, Sing, will rehabilitate, stay away from drugs and eventually take part in her upbringing. He is currently in a rehabilitation program to become clean from substance use.

Sao and Pong love Dao very much and have expressed interest in officially adopting her. When Dao was born, her father’s name was left off the birth certificate, so adopting Dao will help secure her future rights. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, Sao and Pong feel a strong connection to Dao, and they say she is a part of their family. When they see her smiling face, they are filled with a desire to love and nurture her.

Sao and Pong’s unwavering love for Dao has transformed her life, and they credit much of this progress to the ongoing support they’ve received from HSF and the generous donors who make this work possible. It is because of compassion and generosity of donors, like you, that families are strengthened and empowered with the resources they need to thrive.

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The post Hope for Dao: How Donors Are Helping a Family Overcome the Effects of Addiction appeared first on Holt International.