Founded in Shanghai in 2008 by a native Chinese and three expatriates, Baobei Foundation provides surgeries and post-surgical rehabilitation for Chinese orphans with life-threatening birth defects. The name Baobei, which means "precious" or "precious child" in Chinese, reflects our belief that each child is precious and each child has a unique contribution to make to this world. Baobei has provided over 200 surgeries for over 100 orphans who were near death, but are now healthy and living with permanent families. We have two main goals:
  • DO GOOD WORK - We seek to save lives of orphans and provide them with love, care and advocacy so they can grow, flourish and find permanent adoption families.
  • DO IT IN A GOOD MANNER - We seek to model and inspire charitable giving by operating with integrity, respect for others, and support for the laws and systems of the country in which we operate. 

Characteristics of Baobei’s Approach
  • We specialize in life-threatening birth defects.

  • We partner with and support government-sanctioned child welfare institutions throughout the country.

  • We partner with area hospitals, local medical experts and international medical advisors to offer the highest quality medical care available in China.

  • Our customized post-surgical recovery and rehabilitation system results in high success rates for children who normally would have little chance to live.

  • We commit to orphans long term until they are settled into permanent homes.

  • Our large volunteer system and our minimization of administrative and rental expenses results in the lowest daily orphan care costs in Shanghai, so more of our funds can be allocated directly to medical and rehabilitation costs.

Our Process

  1. Partner child welfare institutions throughout China contact Baobei Foundation when they encounter abandoned children with life-threatening, locally inoperable birth defects.
  2. The child comes to Shanghai, enters the hospital system in one of our partner hospitals, and receives surgery by a top Chinese specialist in the field. 
  3. After surgery, the child is cared for by a Baobei healing home family as we continue follow-up medical care and rehabilitation.
  4. Baobei arranges for professional physical therapy and medical care for the duration of the healing process. Subsequent surgeries are often required to address the multiple medical conditions associated with severe defects.
  5. Baobei supports the child welfare institution as it documents the child’s medical condition and prepares the child for adoption. Baobei provides continued support for the child until a suitable local or international adoptive family is matched by the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). Baobei actively advocates for disabled orphans who may have difficulty finding suitable adoption families. 

Hospital Partners       

Baobei has partner relationships with five hospitals in Shanghai. The specialist physicians in these facilities are chosen to assure the best possible care for Baobei children.
  • Shanghai Children’s Medical Center      上海儿童医学中心
  • Xinhua Hospital                                           新华医院
  • Children’s Hospital of Shanghai              上海市儿童医院
  • Shanghai United Family Hospital            上海和睦家医院
  • Shanghai Ruidong Hospital                     上海瑞东医院
This is Lillie, one of the earliest Baobeis. Lillie spent the first six years of her life living in Shanghai with her permanent family. She has now moved to the US with her family and is flourishing in her new home