Welcome to Ruby's page!

**** I've updated this page with the specific info for making a donation. Also, we should be hearing back soon on the estimates for the two surgeries!****

When we got Ruby's referral and learned she was from Fujian province we began to look for info about that province. The first and best source of info we found is www.fujiankids.org . This site has info about the province and the orphanages in Fujian that participate in international adoptions. This was a great resource for us. The site does fundraising to benefit kids who are in orphanages in Fujian province. They have been very successful in raising money for a variety of projects.

Marsha Richins runs the site and was responsible for referring us to our guide, Schell, who went to Guangze with us. Before we left she asked us to inquire about ways that Fujiankids could help out at the orphanage. While we were visiting we saw several kids who had special needs, some of which could probably be corrected with surgery. When we got home with Ruby, Marsha had her contact in Fujian contact the orphanage in Guangze about helping these kids out. These were the three the orphanage mentioned.

There was a girl about 6-7 whose hands were both deformed. Schell examined her hands and said it seemed like her finger bones were there but the skin was all grown over them in one mass. It also appeared that she had some other issues, possibly downs syndrome.
there is an older boy whose legs are severely bent and twisted at the knees. He gets around with a walker like item where he can drag his legs behind him.

. We are hoping to raise money so that one of these children might be able to have the corrective surgery they need. We know that a lot of people have been following this website and we hope that some of you might be willing to donate some money towards helping these kids who are left behind. Even small amounts can be put to good work in China. The money will go thru a non-profit group here in the states called Altrusa. They are a mostly volunteer run group and 100% of your donation would go towards what you specify. Your donation would be tax-deductible. If you can donate, please download this form ( http://www.fujiankids.org/assist/donform.gif ) to send in with your donation. Please make sure to specify that your donation is for Guangze orphanage. The donations should be made out to Altrusa International. Canadian families can send a money order in US dollars. Donations should be mailed to :

FujianKids, 508 S. Glenwood Ave. , Columbia, MO 65203.

If we can't raise enough for one of the surgeries (approx $1-2000) then we will have the money go towards testing for Hepatitis B. At Guangze SWI only the kids to be adopted are tested. Evidently it's quite common for kids in orphanages to have hep B. It often is dormant in young children but in adolescence or early adulthood it can enter an active stage causing liver damage. There are some treatments that can be provided at this stage which can help control the disease. We would like to have all the kids tested and then possibly arrange for treatment for the older kids if they test positive.

If you can contribute in any way to this project or if you need additional information please email me at dan@dljwoodworks.com. We are so thankful for Ruby but we don't want to forget the kids who are still there and won't be adopted.

Thanks!

Dan, Julie and Ruby