Success in Shaoguan
We should say to each of them: do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you…You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel.
~Pablo Casals
When Love Without Boundaries opened its first Believe in Me school in 2004, our goal was to make education inclusive for all children living inside the orphanages where they were built, regardless of their special needs. Over the last twelve years, we have helped set up nine such schools, and we think the results have been pretty amazing.
Children who had been unable to attend local public schools now go to class each day, where they get to experience active engagement and creativity through reading, art, music, and more.
We’ve integrated both nutrition and daily dental care components into our schools as well, emphasizing that good health is a goal for both the body and mind.
In 2012, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, LWB opened up yet another school inside the Shaoguan orphanage in Guangdong province. Twenty-nine children made up our first group of students, and we were so excited that they would finally experience the deep joy of learning.
Over the years, we have watched as many of the students in Shaoguan have blossomed into confident, happy children – so very different from the shy and quiet children we first encountered in those early days.
We have been blessed to follow the progress of children like Aimee, who is now one of the class leaders.
We have celebrated as children like Harley were chosen for adoption and met their forever families.
Sustainability is a chief component of LWB’s Believe in Me school model. We work with the orphanages to meet the goal that every school will eventually transition to full government control. We have transferred several schools over the years to orphanage leadership, and we consider it a true success when the local government fully supports inclusive education programs.
Today we are happy to announce that the Shaoguan government will take full responsibility for the Believe in Me school this September! They now have the team members, teachers, and funding in place to continue this essential program long term, and that is definitely something to celebrate.
We want to thank everyone who has made this program such a huge success over the last four years. Each child we have served there truly IS a marvel. By fostering their love of learning, you have brought joy, adventure, and wonder to the children in Shaoguan, and for that we are so very grateful.
