Here are a few pictures spanning the 20 years of Bethel. So many friends, volunteers, staff, sponsors, and donors are part of this story. I wish we had a picture of everyone, but know that we are grateful for each and every one of you.
In our early 20s, we identified the pressing needs of visually impaired (VI) and orphaned children, often struggling with mental disabilities. Recognizing the challenges they faced in finding suitable care, we committed to advocating for their adoption, ultimately guiding 132 families on this transformative journey. Many adopted children, now thriving adults, stand as living testimonies to the impact of love and family.For those not adopted, we envisioned a village providing a family-like environment, leading to the creation of a dedicated space for children with multiple disabilities. While the village was a success, it became financially demanding. Adapting, we established satellite centers within state orphanages, currently managing six centers caring for 138 children.Bethel's evolution continued as we encountered obstacles like a highway disrupting our village. A training facility in the city emerged, emphasizing public transportation use and societal integration. Simultaneously, parents sought our expertise, leading to the opening of our Beijing center for visually impaired children with families.Initially viewed as a last resort, intervening after numerous challenges, we expanded our focus to preventive measures. Collaborating with local hospitals and orphanages, we aimed to detect and address eye-related issues early, preventing blindness and related complications.A defining moment was meeting a couple who, through our training, chose to keep their child—an inspiring victory. As Bethel progressed, the need for localization became evident. Today, under Susan Qu Jieshu's leadership for a decade, Bethel China operates as a registered Chinese non-profit, empowering local communities.Looking ahead, Bethel's value extends beyond education for the blind to certifying local Teachers for the Visually Impaired (TVI). Susan's pursuit of a Master's degree will enable her to establish a certification in China, ensuring Bethel's impact reaches all provinces.In the past two decades, Bethel achieved significant milestones:
194 staff members hired
655 dental visits conducted
18 eye surgeries performed
1 "Life-skills" DVD produced
65 pairs of glasses distributed
75 state orphanages received training
138 international adoptions facilitated
14 online video training series developed
1,106 children have been under our care
1 video game for blind children developed
2 National Awareness campaigns initiated
3 summer camps for blind children organized
7,445 individuals trained in visual impairment
1 Wechat video series for families with blind children
1 national platform launched for Bethel parent families
65 blind children annually receive 24/7 care in our centers
1 e-published book sharing stories of families adopting blind children
995 manuals on "How to train a child with visual impairment?" distributed
1 village for 60 blind children with 7 houses, gym, farm, school, and playgrounds
3 apartments for our "City life" project where students learn independent living skills
1 National outreach program "Project 555" to train 5,000 people, 50 orphanages, in 5 years
