Caregiving at the Nanchang Orphanage Baby Unit
by John Aeby, Director of Communications
Nanchang, China–It was a simple gesture, made by parents around the world every day, but you seldom see it in orphanages. A caregiver, holding a little girl, pulled the infant’s face up close to hers. Nuzzling the side of the baby’s head, she pressed her lips to the baby’s soft cheeks and sniffed the fuzzy scalp. I’m sure it was meant to be a private little moment; I don’t think this caregiver was even slightly aware of my watching.
This level of affection and nurturing may be typical for a family, but not an institution. But then, this is a special kind of place. A cozy room on the second floor of the large Nanchang Orphanage, the “Baby Unit” was established by Holt some fourteen years ago demonstrating the effectiveness of loving, attentive care. The children come from around the city of Nanchang, usually found abandoned at a place where they are quickly found, such as the gate of this orphanage.
On the day I visited, nine caregivers tended 18 babies. While the room was filled with activity, from feeding to changing dia
pers and cleaning faces with baby spit-up, it all seemed to be happening at an unhurried pace. Several babies were simply being held and talked to, walked and patted. Another remarkable thing, the caregivers appeared to have a very personal bond with the babies in their arms.
How unlike the typical orphanage where a few overworked caregivers provide only the minimal care for a large number of children. Here in the Baby Unit, caregivers have the time and focus to truly love the children.
The Baby Unit was never designed for long-term care. These children remain in the Baby Unit only until their health can be stabilized and an appropriate foster family prepared. Still, the children’s stay in this room secures their hold onto life and sets them on a path toward a permanent family.
I cried as I read this post. Our son, part of the Child of Promise Program, must have been cared for by these loving nannies. We’ve been home for 2 months now and he is a joyful, loving little boy. We had prepared ourselves for all the behaviors typical of children living in orphanages. We were pleasantly surprised to find that his caregivers were kind loving women. They were just as sad to leave him as he was to leave them. The Nanchang orphanage was so good to our little one. Thanks Holt for everything.