First Home Visit

September 7^th was the first day at work for our new Cross Care Team #3. Their very first visit was in a remote part of Hunan province, nearly two hours from their home base in Changsha. Local community leaders had heard about the Family Partners Programme and contacted us about a family that desperately needed help.

The family is very poor. The grandfather runs a small farm and struggles to provide for the family of six. The youngest, Xinxin, has been diagnosed with cerebral atrophy and has delayed physical and mental development. Xinxin’s mother is also disabled. Her father has a physical disability and helps out in the fields as much as he can, but the family can barely survive. They don’t have a phone or many possessions.

Two of the Cross Care team members are veterans, having worked in ICC’s Changsha Care Centre. But they had never experienced this type of challenge. Liu Jing, our social worker, said when she stepped into the house she immediately felt distressed when she saw the condition of Xinxin and her family.

“My panic died for a moment as I saw how scared Xinxin was to meet strangers. The innocence and strength in her eyes made me understand that my work was a sacred mission. I told myself that I wanted to help them very much.”  —Liu Jing, FPP Social Worker

Six-year-old Xinxin has difficulty walking and communicating. Because they live in such a remote area, Xinxin hasn’t received any therapy or special education. The family has no money to pay for services, but the Family Partners programme exists to provide whatever we can for people who need so much and have so little.

That was just the first visit. The Cross Care team started discussing options on their long drive back to Changsha. They already have some ideas. The family as a whole needs substantial assistance, and little Xinxin needs therapy, special education and ongoing support. The team is eager to provide as much assistance as they can.

Join us as a Family Partner to keep vulnerable families together!