Love for Orphans in China
Posted by Madeline Buck on July 21st 2009 in OrganizationsIn 2003 Amy Eldridge, prompted by her daughter’s curiosity about her birthplace, made the long trek from the US to China to visit the orphanage that had cared for her daughter before Eldridge adopted her. “My life changed forever that day,†says Eldridge. “When you see row after row of metal baby cribs and children who are growing up alone, it changes something inside of you.â€
photos courtesy | Love without boundaries
Upon her arrival, the orphanage staff took Eldridge to the crib of a baby who was breathing with difficulty and blue due to a severe heart defect. “I naively asked when his surgery would be,†says Eldridge. She had not realized that there simply was not funding for such a surgery. The realization that without help, this baby would die, impelled Eldridge to act. “I felt my own heart break in two thinking that any child would die an orphan when there are so many people who would love to get involved,†she says. Determined to save the child, she started an email campaign upon her return to the US. Through family, friends, and others moved by the child’s story, Eldridge was able to raise enough money not only for him, but for four children to have heart surgeries.
Since that first struggling baby in the crib, Eldridge went on to help found Love Without Boundaries, which helps 1,500 young children a year. To Eldridge, now executive director, one particular child born with a cleft lip stands out for his perseverance. This baby, she recalls, was eight months old and weighed only eight pounds. Since children with cleft lip cannot feed on a bottle, they generally have more difficulty surviving without the proper surgery and care. Eldridge was moved by the child’s will to survive. “He really showed me that you can’t give up on a child until they draw their last breath,†she says.
From its beginnings as a simple email campaign for a single child, Love Without Boundaries is a testament to the idea that “no dream is too big.†When the organization realized that Chinese public schools do not admit children with birth defects, it decided to bring school to them. It now operates five orphanage schools in China where children can study for the first time.
Six years after its founding, Love Without Boundaries is a completely volunteer-run organization bringing medical care, foster care, nutrition programs, special assistance, and education to orphaned and impoverished children in China. Through such care, many orphans who previously would have been considered unfit have been adopted. For Love Without Boundaries, there is a way around every obstacle.
July 21st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Dear Karen & Amy,
Though I was trained (in words), words cannot even come close to describe the
Godsends you both are. The love and commitment you put into such an incredible much-needed project. I can remember in the 60’s (being 100% altruistic), but then again had shoulder-length hair and purple bell-bottoms, thinking “Maybe I can change the world but I better hurry cause Bob Dylan said never trust anyone over 30″.
You have proven Dylan (and me) wrong, in that you never gave up your vision, and, not only that, turned it into one of the most important, if not important nonprofit agencies I have ever seen. You ARE changing the world, one child at a time, saving lives, educating children, and finding them families (and vice versa); in what has to be the most unique business (nonprofit or for profit) i have ever witnessed. God bless you both (and your staff) for this “great work of loving spirits”.
I can so easily see why CharityWatch.Org gives you the highest ranking a charity can get. Lee and I would like to raise them a star. Please keep up this blessed work. It does make a HUGE difference, and sometimes I love being proved wrong. Given the vision and effort, real people can change the real world, and you have both proven that time and time again. Thank you and God bless. Love Rick London (and Lee Hiller)
July 21st, 2009 at 4:57 pm
The more I read about the wonderful work that Amy & Karen do for Love without Boundries. The more amazed I am. 2 Women with such Great Compassion for children of such great needs. How heartwarming is that?
I become overwhelemed with so much love for these 2 women and the children’s photo’s I see, it just Melts me.
I am so PROUD of Karen & Amy, for who they are. Such Loving, Caring, Unselfish, Devoted Mom’s to ALL children.
I bow down to them in all they do for everyone. Their loving kindness will be returned ten fold.
As a Mom, We all know, the love a child shows in return with just a simple little smile, it shows how much they care and that is all that is needed to keep us going.
Karen & Amy have gone beyond that with their work to help ALL children.
AMY, KAREN … You make the world a much better place, just by being in it.
Love you!
Martha
July 21st, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Dearest Amy & Karen,
The word LOVE does not come close to how I feel about the two of you. You have proven that no barrier is too large for us to overcome. I am in awe of your gracious, selfless and humble service to humanity.
One need only look to Love Without Boundaries to see what individuals can do when they come together for a single cause. You have brought hope and Love to children who would surely have perished unnoticed by the world. By shining the light of your Love you have shown us that every child is a miracle.
Thank You for being ours friends and letting us into you world.
Hugs & Love to You Both
Lee Hiller (& Rick London)
July 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Thank you all for your beautiful comments. Love Without Boundaries is a passion.
LWB is a virtual foundation with more than 150 volunteers worldwide in more than 39 states and 9 countries work to make LWB programs run. Helping this many children couldn’t happen without the efforts of so many beyond Amy and I. I am in awe of the passion and selflessness of the people who have stepped forward to help and we are all so lucky to work with this group of people every day….all for the love of these beautiful children!
Karen Maunu LWB
July 25th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Dear Amy and Karen,
What an beautiful example of love you and all the other volunteers associated with LWB are. Not only do you work tirelessly to help as many children as possible by providing much needed medical care, but you continue to prove that where children are concerned, the words “it can’t be done” are not in your volcabulary. Your ability to attack one problem after another is incredible and your outlook always positive.
It’s such an honor to know you and so uplifting to read about the work you have accomplished. It’s also wonderful to see the recognition you are receiving through the media (Cooke Magazine and Need Magazine) and although I know it’s difficult to have the spotlight on you, it so deserved and a way for more people to hear about the wonderful work LWB is doing. What a blessing you both are!
With love and appreciation for all you do,
Marilyn Schwartz
August 5th, 2009 at 3:33 am
I love orphan’s…… I want to help them ..Normally it’s my aim…..
August 5th, 2009 at 3:36 am
hi..
I love orphan’s … I want to help them.. Normally it’s my aim…..
ove
August 29th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
That little blue baby are now our big boy. He is now 7 years old and have just started school. He lives with his family in Sweden and he has two older sisters, al from China. What Amy and LWB means to us you can never understand. The boys name are Ville Kang.
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