Half the Sky "Granny" Program???

We have inquired about a "Granny" program that Sophie is involved with. Our agency is not for sure what this is.....So I have done a little research. My friend Kim has also told me about the program that her daughter was in, which is highly likely that Sophie is in the same program but we will not know until we talk with the Orphanage Director and/or when we get home and are able to request information from Half the Sky.

Here is what Patricia told me from Half the Sky. It explains our confusion. So after we arrive home we can confirm our thoughts....Still not sure if she is in the Little Sisters Program or the Baby Sisters Program. I would think it would now be the Little Sisters Program due to her age??? Here is what Patricia emailed me below.


4/29/08
Michele,

The program that is referred to as a “Granny” program is not the Little Sisters program—it’s the baby sisters program, i.e. our nannies are referred to as “Grandmas” in some translations. Here is the link to information about that program:

http://www.halfthesky.org/work/babysisters.php

Regards,

Patricia


4/28/08
Dear Michele,

Congratulations on your referral!

We do have a Baby Sisters program in Chengdu and when it is translated from Chinese into English it is often referred to as the “granny” program.

We will be happy to check our database and send you any progress reports/photos we have on file for your daughter after you bring her home—our staff prepares a short progress report with a photo four times a year.

Regarding your donation question, donations of any amount can be targeted to a specific orphanage where we have a center, including Chengdu.

I hope you travel to China soon—have a wonderful trip.

Sincerely,

Patricia

Here is a link to a great video about Half the Sky's Programs. (Click on that sentence to view link.)

Here is a little bit about both of these programs:

The Little Sisters Preschool Program (Click on the Title for the Link)
In the Little Sisters Preschools, Half the Sky-trained teachers use a unique and progressive curriculum that blends principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education with contemporary Chinese teaching methods.

The program is designed not only to prepare the children (2-7years) to succeed in Chinese schools, but also to help develop the “whole child”, to help her attain the positive sense of self so often missing in institutionalized children.

Special areas are designed for art projects, music, reading, imaginary play and developing motor skills. Teachers build on the approach fostered in the infant nurture program by getting to know each child’s individual interests and developing curriculum and projects based on those interests.

All Half the Sky preschool teachers are university or normal school (teacher’s college)-educated in China and also undergo Half the Sky training which includes an emphasis on documenting each child’s progress – creating a personal history and permanent record for children who do not have a family to mark their milestones and achievements.

The Baby Sisters Infant Nurture Program (Click on Title for Link)
The little ones in Half the Sky’s Baby Sisters Infant Nurture Centers make their journey from sleeping infants to running toddlers with the help of Half the Sky-trained nannies with whom they develop deep emotional bonds. These are the bonds that are crucial for healthy brain development.

Half the Sky’s nannies—retired or laid-off workers from the local community—are trained to act as every parent who has fallen in love with a child intuitively acts—they sing, play, cuddle, hug, and generally dote on their charges. In so doing the nannies help babies avoid the problems that are so common in institutionalized children who have been fed and clothed, but not cherished.

The nannies learn to recognize the signs of delays. They learn simple therapies to help the babies reach developmental milestones. They learn the art of responsive care…watching their young charges, listening to them, and providing the nurture as it is needed.

Infants need more than food and clothes—they need the daily love and interaction with caring adults that Half the Sky’s nannies provide.

We are excited to know that Sophie is recieving extra help.

Thank God for Half the Sky!!!