What does OneSky do?

We design and implement affordable, replicable model programs to help communities and caregivers unlock the vast hidden potential of the world’s vulnerable young children. We also provide ongoing training, guidance and support for individuals, communities and governments while they take our models to scale.

How did OneSky develop its approach to child development?

OneSky’s approach to nurturing children draws from the Reggio Emilia early education philosophy, which focuses on helping each child develop a strong sense of self, love of learning, and individual expression. We also incorporate local educational practices to prepare children for success in community schools.

Why did you change your name from Half the Sky?

When Half the Sky was founded in 1998, 95% of the healthy children in Chinese orphanages were girls so our name, taken from the adage “Women hold up half the sky,” wonderfully matched our mission. Today, the number of girls and boys in our programs is far more balanced and our new name we believe reflects this.

How did you choose the name OneSky?

OneSky for all children reflects what we’ve learned over nearly two decades: that the needs of young children are universal and that if we reach at-risk children early enough, we can give them a second chance at a bright future.

Will OneSky be expanding to other countries?

Because we’ve learned over the years that the needs of young children are universal, our programs can be adapted to meet challenges in diverse situations wherever young children live in adversity. We hope to one day bring our transformative models to at-risk children in other countries, if we have the funds and support to do so.

Can I specify where I wish my donation to be designated?

Currently, OneSky Australia can only facilitate donations aligned with our projects in China. If you would like to donate to a project in Vietnam, our global OneSky team can facilitate this here, but we will not be able to issue you an Australian tax receipt for your donation.

Are international entities also called OneSky?

Half the Sky Netherlands has retained its name for now. It’s importance as part of our OneSky global community remains unchanged. When you support Half the Sky Netherlands, you are supporting our mission to bring hope into the lives of children the world forgot.

How does OneSky help children in orphanages?

OneSky’s Orphanage Model is designed to help abandoned children — who lose about one month of growth for every three months in institutional care — not only survive but thrive, by training child welfare workers how to provide consistent family-like nurturing care and early education. The model offers a comprehensive template for best practice caregiving from the national policy level down to personalized guidance for addressing the challenges faced by each small child.

Read more about the OneSky Model for Children in Orphanages.

What is the status of your work in Chinese orphanages?

We are working just as hard as we always have to ensure that institutionalized children all over China have a loving adult in their daily lives. These efforts include supporting Model Centers and Seed Centers where, through our Chinese sister organization, Chunhui Children, we help smaller orphanages create programmes of their own.

When the Chinese take over funding for centers OneSky established, what role does OneSky play?

Besides supporting the operations of national Model Centers, through our senior training team, we offer ongoing training and guidance for orphanage staff and administrators across the country. We also run an active, national online learning community, 1jiaren.org, that connects caregivers all over China and provides online education for professional growth.

How long will you continue your work in Chinese orphanages?

We will continue to work in China for as long as we are needed.

Do you provide medical care for children living in Chinese orphanages?

The government provides medical care for the children through the institutions, local hospitals and the Tomorrow Plan. Some children who need specialized medical care receive pre and post-treatment nurturing care at our Chinese sister organization’s Chunhui China Care Home in Beijing.

How can I support your work at the orphanage where my child once lived?

If OneSky supports a national model center at your child’s orphanage, you can target a donation of any size to that orphanage. Simply Contact Us to talk about directing your donation to a specific orphanage. If OneSky does not operate a programme in your child’s orphanage, we suggest that you earmark your donation for the National Training Plan, a cooperative effort with the Chinese government that is enabling OneSky to train child welfare workers all over China.

We are planning a trip to China—can we visit an orphanage?

We are unable to arrange for visits. Many of our supporters do visit orphanages but they arrange permission for those visits through homeland tour travel agents or by contacting the orphanages themselves to arrange permission.

Can you help me adopt a child from China?

No, OneSky is not an adoption agency, and we have nothing to do with the adoption process.

I am adopting a child from an orphanage where you established programmes. Do you have any information about my child?

Once you have returned home with your child, we will be happy to check to see if we have any progress reports/photos on file and, if we do, send you the original Chinese and an English translation of the reports. Just download a Progress Report Request Form and send it to us. We are unable to provide any

information about a child currently in our programme or confirm that a child is enrolled in our programme before their adoption is finalized.

Can you connect me with my child’s caregiver?

We do not facilitate communication directly between orphanage staff/caregivers and families. This falls outside of our mission because we focus on training our caregivers to provide care for children still waiting, and this consumes all of their time. However, we are happy to provide this list of mailing addresses for orphanages where we have run programmes, should you wish to contact them directly.

How does OneSky help children in remote rural villages?

OneSky’s Village Model offers a scalable, low-cost model for mitigating the damage to China’s “economic orphans,” children left without nurturing care during their most critical early years while their parents work in faraway cities and industrial areas. Our work also actively engages those adults who remain in the villages to help care for the children left behind – a critical step toward healing rural communities that are disintegrating because of the loss of their young workers.

Read more about the OneSky’s Model for Children in Villages.

What programmes do you run in villages?

We provide family skills training, establish Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centers with a progressive curriculum for children 3-6 years old, and promote community engagement to strengthen disintegrating rural communities.

Where are the villages?

All of the villages where OneSky provides support are located in rural central China; for privacy and security reasons, we do not publicize their exact location.

How many villages do you work in?

Our global network is working in 46 rural villages to develop a model that will be replicable and scalable across 680 government-designated “poverty counties.” In 2019, OneSky Australia plans to support OneSky’s village model program ensuring that even more children receive the stimulation and attention they deserve.

We are planning a trip to China—can we visit a village?

For privacy and security reasons, we are unable to arrange visits to the villages where we work.

Are your financials audited independently?

Yes, our financials are audited every year by an independent auditor and are included in our Annual Report. For further information on any part of our financials including our administrative costs, please visit our Financials Page.

My children want to help OneSky. How can children help?

Your children can create their own fundraising campaigns — lemonade stands, bake sales, donations for their birthdays and so forth. To get started, you can sign up on the GoFundraise website where you select OneSky Australia. GoFundraise will even issue you with a tax receipt on our behalf.

Do you have any volunteer opportunities?

You can donate your time and skills in many ways!

1) Sign up to receive our updates and stories on our contact page.

2) Follow our work on Facebook, Instagram and share stories of kids growing strong.

3) Donate your birthday or other special occasion monies, or use your talents to bake, sing, dance or anything else you like to do to raise funds for the kids.

3) Volunteer at OneSky Australia events. To notify us of your interest please email us.

I am a secondary school/university student. How can I help?

You can become involved in creative fundraising efforts with the help of of your friends and family by visiting the GoFundraise Website for ideas and registration.

You may also wish to volunteer at our OneSky Australia events. To notify us of your interest please email us.

From time to time we also plan a special volunteer trip to China for a limited number of students and Chinese adoptees. Information on pending trips will be advertised on our website, social media and/or to those listed on our database.