Every year, ICC hosts summer camps for the children in our Family Partners Program. This year’s theme was “Journey to the Beach”...
04. Darkness to Light: A Life Changing Investment
In March 2011, Jessica arrived in Hengyang where she witnessed the transformative work of ICC. She sat down with our team to share about her experiences...
06. Pathways to Change
Xirui is a lively, outgoing 23-yearold with Down syndrome and an intellectual disability. As he matured, he struggled to envision his future...
08. Family-Style Care Impacts Jibiao’s Life!
We first met Jibiao five years ago when he was 13 years old. He was welcomed into our Enquan Yuan family...
02. CEO Message
CEO MESSAGE
Each quarter, I love sitting down and sharing a few words with you about the amazing work that you make possible through your generous support of ICC. None of it would be possible without you — so thank you!
However, I also find that I struggle as I consider what to share. I could tell you of the hundreds of thousands of children with disabilities that tragically struggle each day. I could tell you of the parents that are on the brink of losing hope; those who are beginning to consider the unthinkable choice of abandoning their child because they simply cannot cope anymore. I could tell you of a wholly inadequate support system that results in children and their families being unable to access even the most basic help. I could tell you of the millions of children that have no hope for the future.
But I can also tell you of those that are finding hope; whose lives are being changed each and every day through the work that ICC does. Today there will be a child who will feel a caring arm of an ICC physiotherapist around their shoulders as they take their first ever steps. I can tell you of the laughter that rang out at ICC’s summer camps over the last weeks as children and young men and women had fun doing activities that they never thought possible.
It is a joy to share with you in this edition of ‘Stories of Hope’, the story of Xirui, a lively, outgoing 23-year-old with Down syndrome, and Jibiao, a thirteen year old boy, who won second place in a national children’s painting competition! Their stories represent the change and transformation that takes place through your generous support of ICC’s work.
Thank you for being someone who refuses to let children with disabilities become invisible. Thank you for ‘seeing’ them and for responding out of compassion to give them a future.
You have my deepest appreciation,
David Gotts, Chief Executive Officer
Summer Camps Bring Joyful Inclusion!
Every year, ICC hosts summer camps for the children in our Family Partners Program. This year’s theme was “Journey to the Beach” where we brought the sights, sounds and textures of the beach to inland Hunan province! Staff and volunteers made decorations, created costumes and designed sensory games, crafts and treasure hunts to bring this dream to life. Many of the children who attended have never seen the ocean, so we brought the experience to them!
This year, we hosted four camps that were focused on accessibility and inclusion! The first summer camp kicked off on August 5th, a two-day residential camp specifically for children with cerebral palsy, with activities tailored to their physical needs. There were 19 children who joined this camp!
Scan the QR code to watch the highlight video from this year’s summer camps!
The second camp, held from August 8th to 10th, welcomed 31 children ages 7-14, at our Changsha location. Twelve teenage volunteers helped our campers throughout the day and with each activity.
Our final two camps were held in rural areas. For many, this was their first summer camp experience!
A Jiangyong County day camp hosted 12 children with disabilities. The final camp was held in Ningxiang, and some of our FPP children ages 14-18 joined the camp along with young people from the Home of Everlasting Love — a locally run residential group home.
Beyond the physical and emotional benefits the children gained from the camp activities and interactions with friends and volunteers, a key objective was to provide much-needed respite and recharge opportunities for primary caregivers. Special parent support group sessions, led by staff and volunteers with counseling and psychology expertise, allowed caregivers to learn parenting skills, self-care techniques, and provide mutual encouragement. As one parent shared, “My child is an angel, because having this child has allowed me to grow so much!”
When you partner with us, you make these camps possible, bringing joy to children and support to vulnerable families! i
Darkness to Light: A Life Changing Investment
Interview with Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith, an AFICC donor, participated in the World Race in 2011 — serving in 11 countries in 11 months. This experience took her all around the world where she experienced the highs and lows of missional work. In March 2011, she arrived in Hengyang, China where she witnessed the transformative work of International China Concern. Recently, Jessica sat down with the AFICC team to share about her experiences.
AFICC: Tell us about your connection to ICC.
I was a team member of World Race in 2011 where we spent about a month in each destination country serving alongside non-profit organizations. We lived very meagerly as one of the goals of the program was to experience life as a peer and not as a tourist. Prior to coming into China, we had been in Haiti after an earthquake, rural Africa and the jungles of the Philippines. Those were some very tough environments, but China was different. It was the hardest place to serve because of the conditions of the welfare center, darkness and gloomy weather, fighting coldness in both temperature and attitudes toward children with disabilities. We had incredible contacts in each country who helped us assimilate and understand the situation.
I was assigned to a team that came to the Hengyang City Welfare Center which had a partner agreement with International China Concern. ICC was caring for children assigned to their care in a separate building while there were still children within the Welfare Center building. Some of my teammates who had occupational therapy skills worked with ICC while I was at the Welfare Center.
The Welfare Center was not an easy place. I cried the first seven days as I processed and grieved over the condition in which the children were living. After the seventh day, I felt the Lord’s prompting that through our service as a team, we were an extension of His love. Each day we played with the children, giving them 1-to-1 attention, helped the caregivers, and assisted with meals.
AFICC: How did your time there impact you?
The biggest impact was seeing the difference ICC care was making in the lives of children in their care.
There was a stark difference between the two centers. At the Welfare Center, it was not an easy place to live. Children were in an open room with beds, and meals were chaos as they fought to receive enough nourishment.
I really connected with a young girl who was around eight years old. Her name was TunTun, and she had cerebral palsy that affected her mobility. She was very smart and compassionate. Bursting into excitement when we arrived, she would prompt me every day to take her to see the babies in the room next door. She would sing to the babies and stroke their faces. I saw her caring for the weaker children when it was meal time. She would fend for them to help them get ahead. TunTun was the biggest example of Christ to me because of how she chose to spend her time in this dark place — serving others before herself.
“I saw up close the impact of ICC’s work. This is a life changing investment.”
I saw so much potential in TunTun! My teammates shared what they saw at ICC, so I advocated for TunTun to be moved to ICC’s care so that she would have access to quality care and opportunities. When she was moved, she thrived! She received muchneeded physical therapy, and had opportunities to grow her math and art talents. She is now 22 years old, and I was able to journey with her after my trip as her Child Sponsor. I saw her grow up, and have her life transformed through ICC!
AFICC: What were your observations about ICC and the situation in China?
While China has experienced significant economic growth and development in recent decades, the situation for children with disabilities has not necessarily improved at the same pace.
ICC is serving in the hardest of situations children with disabilities who lack access to services, advocating for best practices while honoring government boundaries, and the toll of the work. From my experience, children with disabilities really need ICC’s care; there is no other hope.
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I saw the alternative which included death. A baby boy in the Welfare Center passed away while I was there, which was heartbreaking because there was no way I could help. I was part of a team that walked another young baby over into ICC’s care, and I felt like we were taking her from darkness to a place of light and hope.
AFICC: Why do you support ICC?
After the World Race, I moved to Atlanta and worked for a non-profit to stop sex-trafficking, and I’ve been a part of many different ministries and missions over the years. I saw up close the impact of ICC’s work. This is a life changing investment. I saw all sides of the organization — where the kids came from, how the long-term volunteers lead and serve, and the impact of ICC’s care.
ICC understands how to work in tangible ways to serve vulnerable people, and meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities. I’ve witnessed the impact of ICC’s family-style care, community group home living, specialized care services and inclusion. I’m thankful for ICC’s innovative approach to combating the societal stigmas of disability in China.
As an entrepreneur, I love the ideas of Little Ark food trucks that empower young people with disabilities with training and job opportunities. ICC is giving purpose for their lives which is important for their well-being.
My time serving in Hengyang was incredibly impactful to me because I saw the very worst situations, yet also saw hope blooming and taking hold in children’s lives because of ICC’s philosophy of care. i
Pathways to Change
Xirui is a lively, outgoing 23-year-old with Down syndrome and an intellectual disability. As he matured, he struggled to envision his future, lacked goal setting skills, and approached work with apprehension. In 2022, he joined our Pathways Vocational Training Program, and Xirui’s outlook began to change.
Our staff first noticed a change in Xirui when he began attending our Independence camps. These camps include internship opportunities in community businesses and life skills training. They also give young people the opportunity to live independently, cooking, doing chores, and working together.
Over the past two years, Xirui has grown in maturity and independence. At the most recent camp, his fourth, he had an internship as a teaching assistant at a Kindergarten. Using his musical talents, Xirui shone as he led the children in singing and dancing.
He is currently learning food preparation in one of our “Little Ark” food trucks.
Pathways Vocational Training Program and camps have given Xirui new opportunities to explore his talents and giftedness. He has also grown in confidence. With love, hope, and opportunity, his future is bright. i
Walk the Wall 2024
Since 2007, ICC supporters from around the world have gathered to Walk the Wall showing their solidarity and support for children with disabilities in China. Faithful friends at Lord’s Grace Community Church in Mountain View, CA hosted their 2024 walk on October 6th. New friends in the San Diego area walked on October 13 at the San Dieguito County Park. We also had walkers join us virtually from around the US!
Special thanks to Amanda Lee who designed our 2024 WTW t-shirt incorporating the Year of the Dragon. Check our social media pages to see pictures and results of #USAWTW2024!
Gala Preview
AFICC’s 3rd Annual Stand for Children Gala will be held on Sunday, December 8th, 2024 at the Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel in Newport Beach, California.
This year’s Gala theme is: Roots of Strength — Nurturing Growth, Innovation and Love. ICC Founder & CEO David Gotts will share stories of impact and ICC’s vision for the future. China adoptee and The Voice Season 20 contestant, Keegan Ferrell, will share his story and musical gifts.
Board Update
The AFICC Board is pleased to announce the addition of new board member Mr. Zuo.
Mr. Zuo is a business executive currently based in East Asia working for a US Fortune 500 company. He and his wife adopted their daughter who was in ICC’s care. Since then, their family has made annual service trips to ICC projects. Mr. Zuo joined the AFICC board in September 2024, and brings his passion for ICC’s work and expertise on business operations to the position.
We’d love to hear from you! Complete our donor survey before November 11th to win one of three $25 Amazon gift cards. Visit www.chinaconcern.org/us-survey or scan this QR code >>
Family-Style Care Impacts Jibiao’s Life!
We first met Jibiao five years ago when he was 13 years old. He was welcomed into our Enquan Yuan family along with nine other children, who were all attending a local special education school. Our staff remarked, “At that time, this group of boys were a bit mischievous.” Jibiao’s caregivers gradually built a relationship of mutual trust with him. As a child who had experienced abandonment, they surrounded him with familial love and support.
The caregivers at ICC are referred to as “parents” by the children’s school teachers. As well as caring for their daily needs, they help them with their homework and monitor their progress. In this stable, caring environment, Jibiao has thrived.
He has received several awards, including “Outstanding Class Cadet.” Outside of class, Jibiao has an interest in sports and painting. One of his works even won second place in a national children’s painting competition! Seeing Jibiao’s creativity blossom and receive recognition was incredibly rewarding.
Last Summer, Jibiao had the opportunity to intern at our “Little Ark” food truck. Witnessing his growth and maturity fills his caregivers with pride for the wonderful young man he has become.
When you partner with ICC, you provide transformative, familystyle care for children like Jibiao! i
