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In April 2016, a relative introduced Du Huikun to foster motherhood through OneSky's Family Village program. Despite initial insecurities, her desire for a new purpose outweighed any doubts. She candidly admitted, "I was very nervous knowing I would become a mom for several orphaned children." The day she first met the children in their new apartment she felt overwhelmingly anxious but found comfort knowing this marked the beginning of her new mission: to help children not just survive but thrive. Shortly after, Huikun enrolled in OneSky’s comprehensive training sessions which educated her on: rehabilitation exercises for physical therapy, insights into effective communication with children with special needs, and understanding healthy diet and lifestyle routines.

Huikun found that caring for special-needs children was particularly impactful for her. She emphasized how meaningful it was for her to provide support for a toddler with clubbed feet and a boy with Down syndrome through daily physical exercise and dietary regimens. Over time, OneSky's training helped Huikun overcome her worries, providing her with the essential skills and confidence needed to be a foster mom. Her husband, Shaobo, also plays an active role in their children's lives. Huikun fondly recalled a time when they had several younger children who couldn't walk. "Every time we went out, my husband willingly carried them on his back without any complaints, and they always had a great time together. He is incredibly supportive of my work!"

Shangli, a OneSky mentor overseeing the family program, speaks highly of Huikun's dedication. "She meticulously observes the children and promptly attends to their needs. She ensures that the house is always clean and tidy, creating a sweet and warm home where the children thrive.

Even in the face of challenges and stress, she remains remarkably calm. Above all, Huikun demonstrates a generous spirit in her teamwork and willingness to assist other moms."

Over the years, the couple has opened their hearts and home to 19 children and through that time Huikun has accumulated a wealth of parenting lessons. She emphasizes the importance of celebrating each child's accomplishments and providing encouragement during moments of sadness or pain. As we dive into Huikun's remarkable journey, we witness not only the personal challenges she conquered but the profound impact she has made on the lives of these children. "Every time the children call me 'Mama' with bright smiles, my heart is bursting with pride. I love them, and this work of caring for vulnerable children is the most meaningful thing I could do," Huikun emphasizes. Her story embodies courage, strength and boundless love that all OneSky foster mothers bring to our next generation.

Back in 2007, a newspaper advertisement caught Huanbi’s attention: OneSky was
looking for a full-time foster mom for our Loving Families Program, which provides family-
like care for children with special needs in China. The next day, she applied and got the
job … a dream come true. Looking back, the couple recalled that it wasn’t easy at first,
taking care of four young children, all of whom were diagnosed with developmental
delays due to their severe special needs and hadn’t quit using diapers.

“Thanks to the training, I learned how to build emotional connections with children, the
steps in providing responsive care, and other concrete skills, such as guiding them to
wear clothes, use a spoon and a cup, and ensure their safety,” said Huanbi. All of the
couple’s hard work over the past 15 years has paid off. Their four children have grown up
very happy, with special talents. Their daughter Honghong is artistic and good at not only
singing and dancing but also drawing. Their sons, following in Dad’s footsteps, love
cooking and can cook their favorite dishes independently.

As their three sons entered adulthood and then left the family in 2020, three new children
all under 4 years old (named Ruru, Hanhan, and Xiaohai) came to live in Huanbi’s family.
At first, they looked frail and unsure of their new surroundings, frequently having colds
and diarrhea, and one of them, Xiaohai, had intestinal surgery. To revive their health,
Huanbi and Chunhua got up several times every night to check on them, covering quilts,
changing diapers, and touching their foreheads. Honghong is the oldest child who has
been with the family since the year 2007 when Huanbi first became a loving mom. They
both have built a strong loving bond over their years together, and now Honghong helps
to look after her younger siblings.

When asked how being a foster mom has changed her life, Huanbi recounted: “The best
part of my job is to be with the children because I can see their growth and development.
Thanks to OneSky for giving me this platform … this big family, including other loving and
caring families too. The environment has enabled our children to grow healthily and
comprehensively. I treat every child wholeheartedly, carefully, patiently, caringly, and
lovingly, and therefore, I feel that my life is full of happiness.”