What International China Concern is about...

The Hengyang Project is a joint venture with the Hengyang Welfare Centre and currently cares for more than 100 babies, children and young adults, all abandoned and with special needs. The project is expanding as many babies continue to be abandoned due to poverty and disability.

A small and dedicated team of international Christian volunteers support and train more than 60 Chinese employees – from managers, cooks and cleaners to house parents, nurses and teachers. ICC is committed to empowering and training Chinese nationals to not only care for and love the abandoned and disabled, but also advocate for them. We want to see positive community attitudes toward those with disabilities. Our long term vision is to provide support services for families with special needs children thereby reducing abandonment.

Early 2004, International China Concern received a referral from Hunan Provincial Civil Affairs to explore the possibility of establishing another joint venture cooperation. The Hengyang Social Welfare Centre was one of those recommended.

In July 2004 the first ICC China Team worked with the abandoned and disabled at the Hengyang Welfare Centre for 4 days and in that time incredible progress was made. Children unable to stand physical touch or make eye contact began to interact and play. Since then, teams have continued to work in Hengyang and many more lives have been transformed.

In March 2006 ICC sent a small team of dedicated international Christian volunteers to Hengyang to live in the community and to work in the welfare centre. Their goal and vision - to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities; to decrease the mortality rate of children with disabilities, and to see community transformation.

Those with intellectual and physical disabilities in the centre continue to live in great need, however significant progress has already been made. The mortality rate has significantly decreased; additional carers have been employed and trained; many of the buildings have been renovated and living conditions improved, and craft and school classes have been established.

New Admissions
The Hengyang Project receives new admissions of abandoned children and infants with disabilities. Children are often abandoned with complicated medical issues, or physical and intellectual disabilities. The Hengyang team provides love and care as well as medical services and assessment. Some infants are diagnosed with inoperable or untreatable terminal conditions so are given dignified care until they pass away. Others are referred for surgery or treatment.

Group Homes
In October 2006 ICC opened 3 group homes for the girls in the project. The homes are located on the Hengyang Welfare Centre grounds and are newly renovated. The girls enjoy a family style environment with home cooked meals and their own washing facilities. Care givers and teachers work in the homes 24 hours a day overseeing family life. A fourth home was opened May 2007 for disabled toddlers, and work will soon begin on new group homes for the boys.