Education for Blind Chinese Orphans

Remembering Christina

One of the most difficult moments during the first half of the year was saying goodbye to Christina, who had been part of the Bethel family from the very beginning. She was an unforgettable member of our community whose life touched countless students, staff, volunteers, and visitors over the years.

Christina was known for her vibrant personality, strong character, and extraordinary ability to connect with people. Thanks to her exceptional English, she became Bethel's unofficial ambassador, proudly leading tours of our center and sharing the story of Bethel with visitors from around the world. She represented our mission with warmth, confidence, and genuine enthusiasm.

Her impact reached far beyond those tours. Christina brought laughter, energy, and friendship wherever she went. She had a remarkable gift for making others feel welcomed and included, and her conversations and cheerful spirit brightened each day for everyone around her. The Bethel center was simply a happier place because of her presence.

Throughout her life, Christina also demonstrated extraordinary resilience. Despite facing numerous health challenges, she continually defied expectations and overcame obstacles that many believed would be impossible. Her determination, courage, and joyful outlook became an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Although Christina is deeply missed, her legacy continues to live on through the countless lives she touched and the example she set. We remain incredibly grateful for the privilege of having her as part of the Bethel family.

Celebrating Easter Together

In April, we celebrated Easter surrounded by the blessing of friendship and community. The season became even more special as we welcomed visitors who traveled all the way from China to North Carolina, creating an opportunity for meaningful reunions, fellowship, and encouragement.

These moments remind us that the Bethel family extends far beyond geographical borders. Although separated by thousands of miles, we remain united through our shared mission of serving blind and visually impaired children and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Renewal Life Design Festival

Later in April, our students had the opportunity to participate in the Renewal Life Design Festival in Beijing, an event celebrating creativity, innovation, and community.

The festival brought together music, art, local artisans, and families in a joyful atmosphere designed to inspire connection and celebrate the beauty of creative expression. Our children delighted audiences with a wonderful musical performance, sharing their talents with confidence and enthusiasm.

Following their performance, the students enjoyed exploring the bustling market, discovering handcrafted items, and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere. The beautiful spring flowers in full bloom added another memorable dimension to an already unforgettable day.

Events like these provide much more than entertainment—they allow our students to engage with the wider community, build confidence, and experience the joy of participating fully in public life.

Building Friendships Through Music

During May, our students participated in a series of music classes alongside students from Tianjin's International School. Through rehearsals, singing, and collaborative learning, the students discovered that music has the power to overcome barriers and create lasting friendships.

The experience concluded with a joyful outdoor performance where both groups proudly showcased what they had learned together. It was a wonderful celebration of teamwork, inclusion, and mutual encouragement.

These opportunities help foster understanding, build confidence, and remind all participants that meaningful friendships are formed through shared experiences rather than differences. We are deeply grateful to our friends at Tianjin's International School for their kindness, partnership, and support.

Supporting Inclusion with UNICEF

At the end of May, UNICEF launched its "Inclusive Childhood, Colorful Future" campaign, featuring inspiring performances of classical poetry recitations and group singing by children.

The campaign highlighted the importance of inclusion, creativity, and ensuring that every child has opportunities to learn, participate, and express their unique talents.

These values closely align with Bethel's mission. We celebrate every opportunity that demonstrates what children can accomplish when they are encouraged, supported, and given equal opportunities to thrive.

Celebrating International Children's Day

June began with one of our favorite celebrations of the year—International Children's Day.

Students, staff, and friends gathered for an afternoon filled with music, delicious food, games, laughter, and fellowship. The celebration honored not only the joy of childhood but also the importance of creating environments where every child feels valued, encouraged, and loved.

International Children's Day serves as a reminder that every child deserves opportunities to grow, learn, and dream without barriers. At Bethel, we strive every day to provide exactly that—a community where blind and visually impaired children can develop confidence, independence, friendships, and hope for the future.

The smiles shared throughout the celebration reflected the heart of our mission and reminded us why this work matters so deeply.

A Special Summer Reunion

June also brought the joy of reconnecting with Bethel graduates Hong Fa and Ming Ming during a summer gathering in North Carolina.

These reunions are always deeply meaningful, reminding us that Bethel is far more than a school—it is a lifelong family. Sharing meals by the ocean, exchanging stories, and celebrating together highlighted the lasting relationships that continue long after students graduate.

Watching our graduates flourish and maintain these lifelong connections is one of the greatest rewards of our work and a testament to the enduring community that Bethel has built over the years.

Thank You

As we reflect on the first six months of the year, we are filled with gratitude for every student, staff member, volunteer, partner, and supporter who has made these moments possible.

Because of your generosity, blind and visually impaired children continue to receive education, opportunities, friendships, and experiences that help them build brighter futures. Every visit, performance, celebration, and milestone shared in this report has been possible because people like you believe in our mission.

As many charities are experiencing, funding has become increasingly challenging in today's economic climate. Rising costs and tighter budgets are making it more difficult to sustain programs that change lives every day. If you are able to support Bethel Foundation Limited, no matter the size of your gift, your generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

Thank you for standing with us and for helping us continue to bring hope, opportunity, and independence to blind and visually impaired children. We look forward to all that the second half of the year will bring.

Links:

• To learn more about Bethel, please click here.

BETHEL 2025: STRENGTHENING HOPE AND RESILIENCE

In 2025, Bethel deepened its commitment to empowering blind and visually impaired children through comprehensive care that integrates education, healthcare, rehabilitation, community training, and public advocacy. Across five centers, 129 children received individualized support through the Love is Blind program—the foundation of all our work. From medical and dental services to adaptive learning tools and mobility training, Bethel ensured that children not only remained healthy, but continued progressing toward independence and confidence. At the same time, our summer camp programming extended classroom growth into dynamic social experiences, while national media engagement amplified the voices and potential of the children we serve.

Beyond our centers, Bethel’s outreach initiatives equipped 509 individuals through 15 in-person trainings and reached an additional 227 participants online, strengthening families, educators, volunteers, and individuals adapting to vision loss. We distributed hundreds of tactile books, Braille learning tools, and mobility aids, expanded corporate and university partnerships, and advanced innovation in teaching aid development and inclusive arts programming. Despite economic pressures that reduced sponsorship funding, 2025 was a year marked by resilience, collaboration, and measurable impact—demonstrating that sustainable transformation happens when children, families, and communities grow together.

LOVE IS BLIND: THE FOUNDATION OF CARE AND OPPORTUNITY

The Love is Blind program remains the heart of Bethel’s mission. In 2025, 129 children were served across centers in Beijing (28 children), Zhengzhou (30), Shangrao (53), Jiaozuo (10), and Nanjing (8). While the Jiaozuo program concluded in January and Nanjing in March, the support provided during their operation continues to shape the lives of those children and families. 

Through individualized care plans and close collaboration with families, children received consistent educational guidance and essential healthcare support. This year, services included two major medical interventions, two eye services, and dental treatment for 15 children in the Beijing Center. Each intervention reinforced a child’s ability to participate fully in learning and daily life, strengthening the foundation for long-term growth.

 Because Love is Blind builds deep, sustained relationships with children and families, it also serves as the launching point for our summer camp and public awareness initiatives. The trust developed in our centers makes it possible for children to step confidently into broader experiences and for their stories to inspire wider communities.

OUTREACH PROJECT: EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNITY IMPACT

In 2025, Bethel’s Outreach Project trained 509 participants through 15 in-person sessions and reached another 227 online. These parents, educators, volunteers, and individuals adjusting to acquired blindness represent and serve thousands of children in their communities. Trainings ranged from leadership programs and teacher trainings for children with multiple visual impairments, to tactile book production, 3D-printed educational toys, and rehabilitation forums. The knowledge and skills shared in these sessions create a ripple effect, extending Bethel’s impact far beyond our centers.

Providing access to essential resources remained central to our work. In 2025, we distributed 215 tactile books, 100 Mango Braille Boxes, 100 Braille math boards, 200 Fuchuan learning tools, 110 accessible picture books, and 10 white canes. These tools support literacy, numeracy, creativity, and mobility, helping children thrive both academically and in daily life.

Alongside trainings and resource distribution, Bethel advanced teaching aid development, expanded arts programming for visually impaired children, and explored new approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration for individuals with acquired blindness. By equipping children, families, and communities, the Outreach Project amplifies opportunity, strengthens support networks, and ensures a lasting, far-reaching impact.

SHARING STORIES, INSPIRING UNDERSTANDING

Raising awareness about the experiences and achievements of visually impaired children is a key part of Bethel’s mission. In 2025, our media presence grew significantly, helping more people see the potential, creativity, and resilience of the children we serve. Bethel’s Weibo platform reached 780,158 views, Douyin generated 36,669 views, and our WeChat Official Account reached 56,789 readers. National media coverage—including features by Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, People's Daily, China News Service, and Hong Kong News Agency—brought our story to an estimated 5 million viewers.

By sharing the stories of our children and the work of our programs, Bethel helps communities and families recognize what children with visual impairments can achieve when given the right support. These stories celebrate their growth, resilience, and creativity, inspiring understanding and fostering a culture of inclusion across society.

Looking Ahead

While 2025 brought financial challenges due to the global economic environment, it also highlighted the resilience, creativity, and unity of the Bethel community. Through innovation, dedicated staff, and volunteer engagement, Bethel continued creating meaningful opportunities for children to learn, recover, and thrive.

As we look to 2026, our commitment remains steadfast. We aim to expand educational programs, develop new adaptive learning tools, and provide more opportunities for children to explore, create, and grow in a supportive environment. We will continue strengthening families and communities through trainings, workshops, and resources that have a ripple effect—touching not only the children we serve directly, but thousands more in the communities around them.

Thank you for standing with us in 2025. Together, we are building a world where limitations are replaced by possibility, where every child can discover their potential, and where every act of kindness multiplies across generations.

Your belief in these children’s potential inspires everything we do.

With heartfelt thanks and optimism,

The Bethel Team

Links:

• Click here to go to Bethel's website.