& change lives.

Nurturing Today's Children to Create a Brighter Future

Hands to Hearts International (HHI) agrees with UNICEF's public statement about the importance of childhood development and it is the basis of HHI's work with children:

"Although it is never too late to improve the quality of a child's life, the first three years are the most crucial for their survival and thriving. If the extraordinarily receptive brain of the child lacks the stimulation for which it is primed during the first three years, the possibility for various types of learning may be substantially reduced-- during key developmental periods, some parts of a child's brain can nearly double in size in a year"

In the critical first years of life, children establish a sense of trust and belonging, acquire language skills,develop curiosity and experience a great period of brain development and learning. In order for this development to be successful, babies need to be love and nurturing; the essential ingredients to build secure bonds and attachments. HHI works to promote consistent care from safe, predictable, and nurturing caregivers--setting the stage for all future relationships.
(learn more about the importance of childhood bonding by reading an HHI blog response to a This American Life episode about this subject)

Unfortunately, there are millions of orphaned and otherwise vulnerable children who are being raised in orphanages orfoster care, in refugee or resettlement communities due to conflict/war or environmental disasters, who are infected of affected by HIV/AIDS or whose families survive under profound economic hardships--earning less than $1/day. In these same communities, there are women that desperately want to raise the next generation to be healthy andsuccessful. It is in these places where Hands to Hearts International (HHI) works with partner organizations and local leaders to provide education and support to caregivers, and they in turn are able to better provide for children in their care.

HHI's simplistic, cost effective, and replicable curriculum consists of a child-centered model of care, educating caregivers about the language, social, cognitive and physical skills necessary for healthy early childhood
development. This curriculum also trains caregivers on how to promote a child's growth in each area as well as the vital importance of attachment and bonding.

HHI is Changing the Lives of Thousands

In February of 2006, HHI began training women from orphanages, crèche centers, ICDS (pre-school) teachers, and village mothers throughout India. This focus on women's empowerment has helped to positively impact the health of thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children (See HHI's women & children served" chart) ever since HHI's start.

The Profound Impact of HHI on Child Health & Relationships

Orphanage Directors have reported that after the implementation of HHI's training, child death and illness rates went down. Additionally, if a child falls ill, they do recover faster (thereby needing less medicines). The children also showed increased weight gain and were easier to soothe. The caregivers took greater pride and demonstrated more confidence in their work, and were seen to be more nurturing and responsive to the babies. General hygiene and living conditions were also enhanced.

HHI is also in contact with some of the parents who have adopted children from orphanages where HHI's program is used. One couple that visited an HHI trained orphanage said they felt more at ease with the adoption process when they saw caregivers rubbing children's backs and singing them lullabies as they drifted off to sleep at night. They found that their soon to be adopted daughter (along with all the children there) was truly cared for and that she had formed strong bonds and attachment with her caregivers. Her strong connection and love for her caregivers caused her to grieve upon leaving the orphanage--her only known home where she felt safe and nurtured--but the silver lining was that she learned to form an attachment and developed the capacity to transfer that connection to all relationships for the rest of her life. Her parents have noticed how much easier it has been for her to transition into her new life with them, especially after talking with other adoptive parents who have been struggling with adoption transitions from orphanages that did not use HHI's program of nurturing and bonding. Listen to an interview with these brave parents and how HHI has helped them below: