By Zach Johnson | Project Manager
Building Confidence Together
This spring, our center has achieved a multitude of enriching experiences, from specialized Braille training aimed at empowering parents to support their children's education at home, to exhilarating equestrian activities fostering courage and empathy among children. Our diverse range of opportunities for growth and enjoyment ensures that each participant thrives, creating unforgettable memories and valuable life skills with every outing.
Moving into the future, our satellite centers are fully staffed and operational, and we are continuing to provide support for visually impaired children through our programs both domestically and internationally.
Hooves of Happiness
One of the unique therapies we have offered for many years that sets us apart from other institutions is our use of Hippotherapy. Hippotherapy is a specialized therapeutic approach utilizing horseback riding to stimulate sensory, physical, and emotional development in blind children, fostering confidence, spatial awareness, and motor skills through the unique interaction with the horse's movement.
In March, during our recent multi-day equestrian event, children were immersed in the world of horseback riding. Guided by professional volunteers, they experienced the thrill of riding and learned valuable lessons in courage, balance, and empathy. Through HOPE Equestrian Rehabilitation, children honed their physical coordination and control while bonding with these majestic animals.
Braille Education Hub
Our center hosted a specialized Braille training event for parents, enhancing their parenting skills and enabling effective Braille learning at home. Tailored content deepened parents' understanding of Braille education's importance and equipped them with practical teaching techniques, nurturing their children's growth.
Love is Blind Centers
Our centers are fully operational, ensuring that all of our children receive specialized, individual care. Currently:
- Zhengzhou: 28 children under care
- Jiaozuo: 10 children under care
- Nanjing: 8 children under care
- JingDezhen: 12 children under care
- Shangrao: 53 children under care
- Beijing: 53 children under care
Bethel Beyond Borders
For over twenty years, Bethel has passionately devoted itself to offering specialized care, education, and medical assistance to children with visual impairments. Recognizing the significance of vision screenings, which can identify potentially debilitating issues early on,
aligns seamlessly with our mission.Embracing our mission, we embarked on a trial project in the Philippines, partnering with esteemed organizations like the Cebu Braille School and the Cebu Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Network. Together, we organized screenings across seven locations, ensuring accessibility for all children. This initiative underscores our commitment to inclusivity, reaching those who might otherwise be left without essential vision care.
During our screenings, we encountered parents and caregivers who had never sought eye examinations for their children due to various barriers. With only 53.85% passing their vision checks, highlighting the urgency of early intervention. Phase 2 of our efforts aims to expand medical and educational support, empowering visually impaired children and their families with the resources they need for a brighter future.
Making a Difference
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our invaluable partners and sponsors, including The Rotary Club, Lego, Perkins School for the Blind, Give2Asia, GlobalGiving and numerous others. If you're inspired to make a difference in a child's life, consider sponsoring a child today (sponsor@bethelchina.org). Additionally, don't forget to watch our latest Beyond Borders Project Report Video on our Facebook Page: https://fb.watch/sbNQ88p7ns/ where you can witness the impact of your generosity firsthand. Blessings abound as we continue our journey of compassion and care together.
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