Dear Donors,

A new season has begun at International China Concern (ICC) — a season filled with opportunities to help more children as well as families caring for children with disabilities.

We bring to this new season the same love, professionalism and commitment that has characterised ICC’s work for more than 25 years. ICC’s legacy of quality and care has been recognised by the Chinese government with the approval of our Foreign NGO (non-governmental organisation) registration. This is a rare achievement. In 2016, there were more than 7,000 foreign NGOs in China. Today, there are fewer than 500 and only a handful are engaged in similar work to ICC.

This status has immediately opened doors for us: a government welfare centre in Changsha has asked ICC to receive 50 more children to care for — we’re happy to do it! Our Family Partners Programme is expanding rapidly and we will soon be establishing a new Paediatric Development Hub to bring together experts in child care from around the world.

It’s an exciting time, but some things never change. Our love for abandoned children with disabilities, alongside the holistic and family-style care we provide, is still the foundation of ICC. We remain dedicated to keeping families together by providing the services they desperately need.

As you read about all of the new developments at ICC, I ask you to consider how you might contribute to ICC’s work. There are many ways to be involved. You can join a Short Term Team to China, organise a Walk the Wall event in your country, share our story with others and become part of a movement that is changing the lives of the most vulnerable children in China. I hope the information you read in this newsletter will inspire and encourage you.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Maize
Chief Executive Officer