Half The Sky

Holding up Half the Sky

One day an elephant saw a hummingbird

lying on its back with its tiny feet up in the air.

"What are you doing?" asked the elephant.

The hummingbird replied, "I heard that

the sky might fall today, and so

I am ready to help hold it up, should it fall."

The elephant laughed cruelly.

"Do you really think," he said, "that

those tiny feet could help hold up the sky?"

The hummingbird kept his feet up in the air,

intent on his purpose, as he replied,

"Not alone. But each must do what he can.

And this is what I can do."— A Chinese Folktale

11 years ago, Jenny and Richard Bowen brought home a toddler from China. They, like many parents that adopt from institutions, found that their new daughter was severely delayed both physically and cognitively. But, after just a year their daughter had been transformed! This realization inspired the birth of the Half The Sky Foundation. The mission of Half the Sky is to provide "family-like" nurturing for orphaned children. In the years after their pilot programs were first implemented in China's institutions, "Listless babies have learned to coo, to laugh, to cuddle, and to follow the sounds of their nannies’ voices. Withdrawn, sullen preschoolers have learned to draw and plant sunflowers, ride bikes, negotiate with their peers for toys, and greet their teachers with open arms." The Big Sisters program has offered learning programs for older girls that allows them to pursue their higher education dreams and keeps them off the streets when they are too old to live in the orphanage any longer and the Family Villages program provides permanent two-parent foster homes for children whose disabilities preclude them from ever being adopted.

Paul, Claire and I had the opportunity to attend a Half the Sky Foundation fund raiser as honored guests. We listened to the speaker and watched the video created to explain why funds are needed for programs that will nurture children in institutions. It was not eye opening for us. We, like Jenny Bowen, have lived this story. When received a two-and-a-half year old that did not react to us in anyway for hours. She sat where she was put and did not attempt to move. She would not speak. She could not feed herself or drink from a cup. Thankfully, she could chew, unlike the 3 year old we met last night that had not learned that skill in China.

We saw small changes in Claire each week and today, just nine months later, most strangers would assume she's been with us since infancy. She has come far. She has overcome much. She was fortunate that she lived in foster care. While we might dispute the quality of her care with our "American" scales, I know she was nurtured, because she was able to bond fairly quickly. She is not indiscriminate with her affection either, which is another sign of healthy bonding. This is not always the outcome for these little ones. Like most parents that have adopted from China, or similar programs, I am haunted by the ones I left behind. Of course, I know I had no choice in the matter. But, I also know they are still there...waiting. And, I know that some will wait a life time and still not find a family. So it is comforting to know that there are programs that will invest in these children. That will try to give them what they need most in the world.....LOVE and attention.

Paul and I are not wealthy. In fact, we border on lower middle class by most standards. Living pay check to pay check. Driving very used cars. Counting on bonus checks for incidentals...you know, like shoes when a kid grows out of them AGAIN! But, we have decided to sponsor a child through Half the Sky. I know these are tough economic times, but if you feel lead to do the same, I assure you, you won't regret the decision!