Kazie, born around the end of November 2003, was abandoned in a hospital in Changsha when she was about 2 weeks old. The local police sent her to Changsha Social Welfare Institute where she lived until October 2005 when she was placed with wonderful foster family sponsored by FTIA's Hunan Foster Care Program. There she became part of their family and lived happily with them. On March 3, 2008, she met me, her "new mama" in the Civil Affairs Office in Changsha. Kazie grieved for her beloved foster "mama" and "baba". From the tears shed, it was obvious how much she was loved. Our guide spoke with her and she understood, but the loss was heartbreaking initially. I gave her purple sunglasses and bubbles. She quickly warmed up to those gifts! I will be forever grateful to the foster parents who so wonderfully prepared her for her life today. Kazie came home with signs and behaviors of a loving foster family and being well cared for. She is familiar with both giving and receiving love. She is also very smart. She knows the numbers 1-9 and can make her bed, set the table, bathe and brush her teeth. She learns new words every day and loves story books. She loves being cuddled and rocked. She has adjusted very well and is such a joy to our family! We are thankful that the foster program funded by FTIA was there to help her during her critical early development years!
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