Our time in China is quickly coming to an end. One thing that has struck us all is the contrast between those who have and those who don't. We've seen some luxury cars everywhere, such as Cadillacs, Mercedes, Acuras, BMW's...all driving along roads without proper sewerage.
Yesterday was the first day of school for all kids in China. In many ways it seemed similar to the first day of school for kids in the US...parents bringing their kids to school, kids in pressed uniforms, excitement in the air. Then, I thought of the village kids we've met who might not be able to continue with schooling due to family responsibilities...at age 12 and 13. At these tender ages, the young girls might need to drop school and be the wage earners for their families. This is a reality which happens much too often in the poorer villages.
Yesterday I met with a young couple who has a 3.5 year old son with autism. Services for kids with autism are basically non existant. Both parents are doctors in China. They thirst for every opportunity to know more about their son and how to best help him. We had a great discussion about strategies and possible ideas which could be helpful for him.
Much of the time here is a bit of a blur. We've seen so, so much. Experienced and heard such heartache and hope. It's almost time to begin processing what all of it means for the future.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
A day in Chongzuo with some very special girls
Yesterday morning we set out early to head south of Nanning to Chongzuo City. It was a 2 hour drive to get to Banli village where we would arrive at a school and meet with some very special girls who are sponsored by GGEF (www.ggef.org) where I am the US volunteer to help run the program. The drive was spectacular...green sugarcane growing, rice paddies, water buffalo pulling people riding behind on carts, the enormous karsts popping up out of the ground. When we arrived at the village, a leader greeted us and brought us into the classroom where 10 of the girls were waiting. There were huge smiles and wide eyes as they had never seen foreigners before. But soon, they were singing a Chinese song and we sang "twinkle twinkle little star" and the laughter began. We spent the day eating with them, sharing stories with them, and playing with them. The favorite activity for everyone, including adults, was balloon toss. The girls loved blowing them up and trying to juggle with them. Lucy started a game of balloon volleyball, and soon there was not just one balloon, but 5 going back and forth. The girls also loved making friendship bracelets with some embroidery floss and Lucy's teaching talent. Word got out into the village that we were there, and young and old came out to have a peak at us. The day went much too fast and soon it was time to head back to Nanning....and to think about what we could do with them when we are here again next year :)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Leo smiles
We are back in Nanning now after visiting the orphanage yesterday. The baby room of this orphanage is now closed, and the children are all living in a "group home" environment...meaning that a set of foster parents care for about 5 kids. They live in a small living quarter with several bedrooms, living space, and kitchen. There is a large courtyard in the middle of all of the small living quarters.
It was a day filled with so many emotions. Two babies were so, so skinny that their skin just hung on their limp bodies. One baby had HIV. Two kids were strapped down to seats. Yet, the director did not hide anything from us and begged for help. Evaluations were done on their most challenging children. We gave ideas for things to focus on with these children. We shared that every child has potential, something that they were unaware of. There are so many needs for this orphanage, which we hope to be able to help on a longer term basis. We'd love to be able to hire someone to go in to stimulate the children and oversee some therapy ideas. We'd like to purchase some developmentally stimulating toys. They need a non-breakable mirror in the room they hope to use for therapy. They need more formula and high calorie duocal powder. We'll need more partnership to help this orphanage whose director is deeply committed to trying to do better.
Today we spent the day visiting with 4 of 10 special needs orphans from a nearby orphanage who are living in foster care. The 4 kids live with a trio of sisters who provide the care. They are very special ladies who watched intently as we worked with our dear friend Helen to provide some therapy ideas. They easily jumped in to try what we modeled and suggested. One of my favorite memories was watching the foster mothers put a child into a tumbleform feeder seat and hoist her onto her back (seat and all), which is a traditional way the Chinese carry children. She seemed so excited about this. We helped a little one born without eyes to do some standing and slowly but surely take some steps to her right along the wall while holding onto a toy. We gave supplies, shared ideas, laughed, and played.
Another favorite memory from today is of a little boy nicknamed "Leo". This little guy resists all movement and positioning. He spends much of the time in tears. He is never quite comfortable. Helen and the foster mother were told by an "expert" MD that there is no hope for him. For him, we tried a beanbag chair which made its way last minute as we left home. As we sat him in it, he paused. We tried a surgical scrub brush to gently massage his foot and arms. He relaxed. We put a sensory toy which has metal beads and plays music when touched. He slowly reached both arms towards it, and grasped it with two of his right fingers. We all held our breath. Helen said how he has NEVER reached towards anything. And then, he smiled. Not just once, but several times. We cried. Little Leo shows us that ALL children have potential. There is hope for ALL children. I can't wait to get to Hong Kong to post some photos. This little one will always remind me of Knowing Hope and what our purpose is...
It was a day filled with so many emotions. Two babies were so, so skinny that their skin just hung on their limp bodies. One baby had HIV. Two kids were strapped down to seats. Yet, the director did not hide anything from us and begged for help. Evaluations were done on their most challenging children. We gave ideas for things to focus on with these children. We shared that every child has potential, something that they were unaware of. There are so many needs for this orphanage, which we hope to be able to help on a longer term basis. We'd love to be able to hire someone to go in to stimulate the children and oversee some therapy ideas. We'd like to purchase some developmentally stimulating toys. They need a non-breakable mirror in the room they hope to use for therapy. They need more formula and high calorie duocal powder. We'll need more partnership to help this orphanage whose director is deeply committed to trying to do better.
Today we spent the day visiting with 4 of 10 special needs orphans from a nearby orphanage who are living in foster care. The 4 kids live with a trio of sisters who provide the care. They are very special ladies who watched intently as we worked with our dear friend Helen to provide some therapy ideas. They easily jumped in to try what we modeled and suggested. One of my favorite memories was watching the foster mothers put a child into a tumbleform feeder seat and hoist her onto her back (seat and all), which is a traditional way the Chinese carry children. She seemed so excited about this. We helped a little one born without eyes to do some standing and slowly but surely take some steps to her right along the wall while holding onto a toy. We gave supplies, shared ideas, laughed, and played.
Another favorite memory from today is of a little boy nicknamed "Leo". This little guy resists all movement and positioning. He spends much of the time in tears. He is never quite comfortable. Helen and the foster mother were told by an "expert" MD that there is no hope for him. For him, we tried a beanbag chair which made its way last minute as we left home. As we sat him in it, he paused. We tried a surgical scrub brush to gently massage his foot and arms. He relaxed. We put a sensory toy which has metal beads and plays music when touched. He slowly reached both arms towards it, and grasped it with two of his right fingers. We all held our breath. Helen said how he has NEVER reached towards anything. And then, he smiled. Not just once, but several times. We cried. Little Leo shows us that ALL children have potential. There is hope for ALL children. I can't wait to get to Hong Kong to post some photos. This little one will always remind me of Knowing Hope and what our purpose is...
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Incredible two days!
The past two days have been absolutely incredible. I won't have the words to do justice to all we experienced, but will try to give a glimpse.
On Wednesday, we headed to the place where my younger daughter was born to walk around. It is a smaller town with many villages around it. We were able to drive and walk around, and stopped many people in their paths. So many people were so happy to know that my little one was from there, and is now happy in a family. Soon, we were off to the city where XiuLi is living to meet with her. We had hopes that she was going to come with us for an overnight, but it was not meant to be. When we arrived, the same young girl eyes were behind her grown exterior. We were able to speak with her, and her friend who is also from the same school she dropped out of (they have been together now, living and working). She is doing ok. We gave her gifts from people around the world. We hugged and kissed her. We told her we loved her. When asked what she needed, she said "to pray for me". I told her that is already done, and will continue...
On Thursday we headed to Qianhe village to see some very special girls. These girls are part of GGEF, a non profit organization which helps girls to go to school and stay in school. This is sometimes a difficult thing in rural areas of China, where life is so hard and girls are sometimes needed to work to support the family. We visited one girl who was working out in the fields tending to rice paddies. She was not told we were coming, and was a bit shocked to see so many faces making their way out to her in the fields. She walked us out to where she was working, and told a bit about what she does. We then walked back to her home, and saw the home of another girl. We sat together, ate fresh fruit from village trees, hugged, and held hands. No words are necessary to communicate languages of love.
Today we are off to another orphanage to meet more special needs kids. This orphanage is a bit smaller than the other one. There are 29 special needs kids. The orphanage director has expressed a desire to want to do more for kids in his care, and also to outreach to special needs kids in the community. I am very excited about another chance to partner with people who care so deeply for some of these amazing kids!!
On Wednesday, we headed to the place where my younger daughter was born to walk around. It is a smaller town with many villages around it. We were able to drive and walk around, and stopped many people in their paths. So many people were so happy to know that my little one was from there, and is now happy in a family. Soon, we were off to the city where XiuLi is living to meet with her. We had hopes that she was going to come with us for an overnight, but it was not meant to be. When we arrived, the same young girl eyes were behind her grown exterior. We were able to speak with her, and her friend who is also from the same school she dropped out of (they have been together now, living and working). She is doing ok. We gave her gifts from people around the world. We hugged and kissed her. We told her we loved her. When asked what she needed, she said "to pray for me". I told her that is already done, and will continue...
On Thursday we headed to Qianhe village to see some very special girls. These girls are part of GGEF, a non profit organization which helps girls to go to school and stay in school. This is sometimes a difficult thing in rural areas of China, where life is so hard and girls are sometimes needed to work to support the family. We visited one girl who was working out in the fields tending to rice paddies. She was not told we were coming, and was a bit shocked to see so many faces making their way out to her in the fields. She walked us out to where she was working, and told a bit about what she does. We then walked back to her home, and saw the home of another girl. We sat together, ate fresh fruit from village trees, hugged, and held hands. No words are necessary to communicate languages of love.
Today we are off to another orphanage to meet more special needs kids. This orphanage is a bit smaller than the other one. There are 29 special needs kids. The orphanage director has expressed a desire to want to do more for kids in his care, and also to outreach to special needs kids in the community. I am very excited about another chance to partner with people who care so deeply for some of these amazing kids!!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Training day
Yesterday was the day to do workshops at one of the larger SWI in Guangxi. All but 4 of the other SWI's had sent representatives, so there were over 70 people. The topics were hope for children with Down Syndrome and other developmental disabilities, and hope for children with autism spectrum disorders. The audience was amazing...they asked questions, shared stories of children they have in their care, participated when questions were asked of them. We saw many familiar faces and also met many new friends. Directors from orphanages came. One of the highlights was when a director was asking about my older daughter, and said "she's one of ours"!! The presentations were videotaped, and as always, Xiao Xiao was just incredible as she could cross cultural borders to make sometimes foreign information relevant to the staff listening. Several parents came to participate, a first ever. They brought their children, shared their stories and their tears of how difficult it is to raise a child with special needs. Some things are no different in any culture. My hope is that somehow, their journey will be made a bit easier to know that people around the world care for parents in situations like theirs.
Today we are off to explore a nearby town on the way to meet XiuLi. The town is my younger daughter's hometown and we have never been their before. We spoke to XiuLi last night and she is anxiously awaiting our arrival. I am so excited that Lucy is here with us and am hoping that she will be light for XiuLi as no translation will be necessary for their discussion.
The kids have all been having so much fun here. With a 9 year old, 8 year old, and two 6 year olds one never knows how life can go. But all 4 have been laughing, playing, and loving the experience of being in Guangxi, a stark contrast to the city of Beijing where we first arrived. I was awestruck to watch as the kids all played with several of the orphans yesterday. How my older daughter and an orphan boy played basketball on the courts of the SWI. How no words were needed as the 4 kids played ping pong with orphans and climbed on exercise equipment together.
I am uncertain of internet connections for the next few days but will post when possible. We have many amazing adventures planned for the days ahead of us and I look forward to sharing more stories, and hopefully some photos, when we arrive in Hong Kong before going home.
Today we are off to explore a nearby town on the way to meet XiuLi. The town is my younger daughter's hometown and we have never been their before. We spoke to XiuLi last night and she is anxiously awaiting our arrival. I am so excited that Lucy is here with us and am hoping that she will be light for XiuLi as no translation will be necessary for their discussion.
The kids have all been having so much fun here. With a 9 year old, 8 year old, and two 6 year olds one never knows how life can go. But all 4 have been laughing, playing, and loving the experience of being in Guangxi, a stark contrast to the city of Beijing where we first arrived. I was awestruck to watch as the kids all played with several of the orphans yesterday. How my older daughter and an orphan boy played basketball on the courts of the SWI. How no words were needed as the 4 kids played ping pong with orphans and climbed on exercise equipment together.
I am uncertain of internet connections for the next few days but will post when possible. We have many amazing adventures planned for the days ahead of us and I look forward to sharing more stories, and hopefully some photos, when we arrive in Hong Kong before going home.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The work begins!!
Today we began working at one of the orphanages in Guangxi. We received a warm, family type welcome by the assistant director and several staff who quickly told us that they had many children waiting for us. They were not kidding. We entered the room to find babies on the center mat, babies being held, bigger children all around. I quickly sat down and got to work. Each and every baby and child was so precious. Four hours of collaboration, treatment planning, idea generation and playing went by sooooo quickly. We were asked if there will be any more time to see more children before heading off to see XiuLi in another city, and getting to other orphanages. This after tomorrow, where all but 4 orphanages in Guangxi will be coming to the presentations on kids with special needs. I love the care and concern for children which is so evident with the administrators of this orphanage. Each and every child has a story. Each and every child has the desire to be loved. Each and every child stole my heart.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
And we're off!!!
After months of preparation, we are heading back to China today for our 5th mission trip. The visas are here, powerpoints are in China for translation, bags are almost packed. Thanks to the generosity of people around the world we have 10 large duffles filled with supplies and desperately needed equipment for the orphans there...and none of those 10 bags have our clothes in them yet!
We are scheduled to fly into Bejing, arriving on the 19th at 11:00pm. We'll de-jetlag for 2 days before heading to Guangxi and then onto Anhui for the last two days of the trip. Both girls are incredibly excited to be going back to "our China" that it was hard for them to fall asleep. We are all glad that the countdown to travel has ended and the day is finally here for us to get underway.
I continue to be very, very grateful for all of the generosity of so many people who have made this work possible. I will be carrying your love, support, thoughts, and prayers with me to touch the lives of each and every little child placed into our paths.
We are scheduled to fly into Bejing, arriving on the 19th at 11:00pm. We'll de-jetlag for 2 days before heading to Guangxi and then onto Anhui for the last two days of the trip. Both girls are incredibly excited to be going back to "our China" that it was hard for them to fall asleep. We are all glad that the countdown to travel has ended and the day is finally here for us to get underway.
I continue to be very, very grateful for all of the generosity of so many people who have made this work possible. I will be carrying your love, support, thoughts, and prayers with me to touch the lives of each and every little child placed into our paths.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sweet XiuLi
In 2006, we were able to meet the eldest non special needs orphan at one of the orphanages in Guangxi. She had eyes and a smile that would just touch all who met her. I watched as she played with such joy with my daughter. Living in an orphanage had not crushed her spirit...yet. In 2008, we saw her again. We begged the orphanage director to place her in foster care, with a family. For reasons unknown, he placed the second eldest orphan in foster care, but not sweet XiuLi. Soon after, she ran away.
I guess that is what happens to many older orphans who never know the love of a family and who must just want something more from life. Last year, we would not see XiuLi. She was living in another province. She sounded ok.
We've been trying to find a way to continue to help this sweet soul, who has no one in the world. We've managed to keep in touch with her, and have learned she is back in Guangxi and asked to see us when we travel next week. We all cannot wait to see her again!
My heart broke when she said that she now hates men, and is working by selling clothes to survive. All at the tender age of 15...
XiuLi has never left our hearts and there has to be a way to help her. Even if it is only to know that there are people who care for and love her in this world.
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