The History

The founder and director of Mother’s Heart, Cheryl Wilkins, along with her  4 year old daughter Liu Bo, came to China in 2004. She had a vision to help orphans and widows.  She says, “I was shocked to see the conditions these kids were living in. Many were marginalized and at high risk for rough lives”. In addition, she was so concerned for poor widowed women who have no pension or financial support.

In 2006, as Cheryl moved to the border area, she completed the second adoption of her one year old daughter Isabella. Now, with two of her own, and 30 who are like her own, she and the team are busy doing what is before them day by day. “There is so much need in every direction”, she says,  “you learn to get your focus and pick your battles...but we are always willing to listen and encourage and find resources for those people with the greatest need.”

Here along the Myanmar (Burma) border in China, many adults are living with AIDS. Most all have children. Unfortunately it is often not a part of this culture for extended families to help orphans. Many of the widowed grandmothers have tried to raise these children but are so old and living in such dire poverty themselves that a chance for their grandkids to get a good home and education is so desirable.

In response to such need, with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing under her belt, and a job history of caring for people with AIDS, Cheryl approached the Chinese government and was granted the permission to take in up to 60 AIDS orphans. She opened her first Children’s Home in July 2006, welcoming the first 7 children.

In a short time the kids made a huge transformation. It’s amazing what a little love and care will do for a child. The children take piano lessons, are learning to swim, and create beautiful artistic masterpieces. They work VERY hard in school, studying over 12 hours a day during the week, with lots of home work on the weekend. Though most do ‘A’ work, it’s their own personal best that counts.

Though none of our children are HIV positive, we care for mother’s living with AIDS, widowed grandmothers, and the poor and needy. So far, this has been very fruitful.