MARIA'S BIG HOUSE OF HOPE OPENS ITS DOORS!
Show Hope Sends team to China for the Grand opening
Luoyang, China - July 2nd, 2009. Show Hope officially announces the opening of Maria's Big House of Hope! Located in Luoyang, which is in the Henan province and has a population of around 6 million people, this caring facility will be a beacon of hope to the people of China and the world. Henan is one of the poorest provinces in all of China. The state-run Luoyang orphanage takes care of nearly 700 children and ends up with most of the "special needs" orphans from all around Henan. Maria's Big House of Hope is a 6 story building that will be equipped with everything needed to care for orphans with special needs. Every child in this facility will be 5 years old or younger, and these will represent some of the neediest orphans in China.
You can support Maria's Big House of Hope by becoming a Show Hope Sponsor today >
Mary Beth Chapman writes: "Maria's Big House officially opened today! The government, nationally and locally, were there to honor Show Hope's efforts to help the special needs orphans of China! We really felt the spirit of God there as we stood there in front of Maria's Big House and dedicated it back to Him and in honor of Maria, who was a special needs orphan herself! There were several speeches, and certificates were given to us to commemorate the day. Steven sang, of all songs, "YOURS", which was so awesome standing there on a stage saying, "It is all God's!" Right there in China! There was a ribbon cutting ceremony ,and finally a tree planting tradition where Joyce, Robin, Steven and myself, along with some city officials, threw dirt on the first tree planted on the grounds!" Follow the progress of the Show Hope China team on Mary Beth Chapman's blog here> or on the Show Hope blog here >
About Maria's Big House of Hope
Maria's Big House of Hope is a healing home dedicated to saving the lives of special needs orphans in China. Show Hope is proud to open the doors to this exciting project that provides for orphans throughout the country who are in desperate need of surgeries and special medical attention, offering them the highest level of care and enabling the children to thrive. In turn, there is hope that this necessary medical attention increases the orphans chances of being adopted. The facility is named in loving memory of the Chapman's 5-year old daughter, Maria Sue Chunxi Chapman, whom they adopted from China in 2004 when she was just one year old.
Luoyang, located in the Henan Chinese province with a population of approximately six million people, is one of the poorest provinces in all of China and is the chosen location for this caring facility that will be a beacon of hope to the people of China and the world. The state-run Luoyang orphanage takes care of nearly 700 children, currently giving care for most of the special needs orphans from all around Henan. By now partnering with Maria's Big House of Hope, the most ill of the orphans will be offered further medical care that they so desperately need.
The Six Floors
At completion, Maria's Big House of Hope is a 60,000 square foot six-story building equipped with everything needed to care for these special needs orphans. There are 128 beds with 190 nurses and nannies on staff, when at full capacity. Every orphan in the facility is five years old or younger, representing some of the neediest orphans in China.
The first level consists of an entrance/reception area, office, small exam room, kitchen, laundry, and accommodations for caretakers. 24 beds are available to the children on this floor who have been through surgery, recovered, and awaiting adoption.
The second and third floors holds children with long-term chronic care who are not healthy enough to survive on their own or in the state-run orphanage. Because of their condition they are also not likely to be adopted. 72 beds are available between these two floors, along with an area for physical therapy.
The fourth floor has 28 beds and is dedicated to hospice care for children who are terminal. This floor also offers an intensive care area, emergency room, and isolation room. Every new orphan to Maria's Big House is brought to the fourth floor for evaluation, registration, and diagnosis.
The fifth level is the home of the building's operation theater with rooms for 10-16 children who are coming in from all over China for them to stay before and after surgery. Only surgeries such as minor orthopedic and cleft pallet surgery will take place on this floor. A training room for incoming staff and an infirmary are also located here.
The sixth floor is the living quarters for long-term staff and visiting medical physicians. This area also allows groups with up to 20 people.
Learn more about Show Hope, Maria's Big House of Hope, and how to become a Show Hope Sponsor >
Watch this short video of the team worshipping in the halls of Maria's Big House of Hope!
Find more pics and videos on the blog of a photographer traveling with them >