Băobèi [bou-bey] Mandarin (宝贝) - Noun
1.) A precious or priceless treasure.
2.) Affectionate term for infant.
3.) Darling.
They work with several orphanages in China by bringing in certain orphans in need of surgery, often those with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and other gastro-intestinal problems, and helping these babies get life-saving surgeries, followed by providing "Healing Homes" for these babies to recover in Western-style families until they are hopefully internationally adopted. These funds are purely donated from individuals and organizations, mostly in Shanghai; however, you can also make a donation through the website baobeifoundation.org
It is a truly amazing organization that has helped save many many lives here in China, and is run by unpaid volunteers. They also have the help of many families who serve as Healing Homes for these precious babies, who use their own money to pay for diapers, formula, clothes, etc, and don't get paid for their services.
So how did we get aligned with Mason? Mason was about 4 months old when he was brought to Shanghai from the Henan province to have surgery for his meningocele (form of spina bifida), right around the time we became interested in adopting (see previous post for THAT story).
We had met with one of the Healing Home managers to say that we were interested in becoming a Healing Home, but that we also wanted to adopt a child. We preferred a boy, around a year old or younger.
About two months later, we were approached to watch a little boy, 5 months old, named Timothy, while his Healing Home family went to Singapore for vacation during Chinese New Year, as these babies can't leave Shanghai while they are under the guardianship of Baobei. Chris and I purposely didn't plan any trip in the hope that a baby might come that could join our home, so it didn't take long to say yes. Then I asked the crucial question of, "Is he available for adoption? Is he a possibility for us?" "Yes, he is a possibility for your family" is the wonderful answer we received. So January 18, 2012, Timothy (soon to be renamed Mason) was delivered to our home/our family/our hearts with all of his gear (Baobei provides highchairs, carseats, etc) and continued to stay with us past the holiday for the next 5 months! We are so very grateful to all of the Baobei volunteers- current and former, for all of the wonderful services they provide for these sweet children. The Baobei Foundation will always have a special place in my family's hearts, and we will always be grateful!! Mason (known on the website as Timothy) has a picture on their website under "Baobei Babies ---> All Baobei Babies at www.baobeifoundation.org
Mason when he was Timothy, around 4 months old
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