b: Foster Care

Li Ming was very, very depressed when she was first brought to Bo Ai. She wouldn't eat or interact with people. She was grieving for the family who dumped her. It was hard to see her like that but all we could do was try to give her encouragement and as much love and time as we could. Eventually she began eating but she was still very withdrawn and refused to communicate with people other than Du.
As the months went by she bonded with the female staff but not the male staff so it was decided that, while she was doing ok eating, drinking and communicating with women, she would be fostered by one of our long term volunteer and good friend, 
 did a really good job of introducing Li Ming to different scenarios and places and she built Li Ming's confidence up a lot. So much so that Li Ming eventually began to trust men aswell. This was essential because most of the workers at the shelter are men. 
​'s work paid off. Li Ming was soon eligible to go out for walks with the student volunteers...