Sunday was our last full day here in Zhanjiang. We spent it by going about an hour away to the finding place of one of the team's children, and we spent the morning there walking the streets. It was fascinating to see small-town life. It was on an island, so the market was full of seafood as well as other tropical fruits and vegetables. The market was crowded, and we didn't exactly blend in, so that was interesting. :o)
After lunch we met our friend, Ruth, who took us to two local churches. The first one was the Catholic church, built by the French in the late 1800's. It's gone through several transformations, including being closed for several decades. The Father willingly opened the church for us, and answered our questions. He told us the Sunday morning attendance is several hundred. They had to install CCTV monitors so everyone could see, because they are packed into the corners.
Next, we visited a little Protestant church built in early 1900's by Baptist missionaries. Again, one of the preachers graciously opened it for us and took our questions. This church is also bursting at the seams for worship, and they open the doors and set up tents outside so everyone can hear the preaching. It was wonderful for us to see the spiritual side of Zhanjiang, and on a Sunday, too.
In the evening we begged Ruth to take us to the Macau restaurant again. We were so hungry for the dumplings and several other selections we'd had a few days earlier. We had a great last dinner together, which is sad considering we've finally become pretty efficient with our chopsticks. :o)
Photos of our experiences from this eigth day are here.
Monday morning we will go to the orphanage for a short visit with the children, then return to the hotel and pack up and say goodbye to our wonderful friends here. It's been a terrific, successful trip, and we thank you for following us here, and for your encouraging comments.
Val, for ZKO
Showing posts with label orphanage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label orphanage. Show all posts
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Day 7, Saturday
First thing on Saturday morning, Ruth took us to the outdoor market where they sell knockoffs, and ends of runs of clothing, shoes, purses, fabric. Wow....that was fun. I think we could've spent the whole day there. I mean, where else can you get Prada for $25? :o) I do think Guangzhou is cheaper, but our visit doesn't include that, so....maybe next time.
At lunch, we met the older school children at KFC. That was WONDERFUL. I've been so anxious to see them, as we've watched them grow up over the last several years, and they remember us from our last visits. I got to see, talk to, and take photos of three very special little girls who are getting adopted. I had the opportunity to break the news to a little one I've loved since 2008 when I first met her, that she FINALLY has a family. The team all got to watch our interpreter relay the information, and we were all soggy messes. She is THRILLED, btw. I also got to tell the other two little girls that their families are on their way very soon! My heart is full to know that there are still wonderful families out there willing to take a leap of faith and adopt older children. To see their delight in being wanted just makes this the best job in the world...
After lunch, Elsa (the wonderful woman who will likely be there in Guangzhou when you adopt your children) took us to the pearl market. Since the pearls are grown and harvested (is that the proper term?) here, the prices are fantastic. It is right around the corner from our hotel, so Brooke and Ellen were able to join us for a few minutes before they had to return to the hotel to get their things. They are now in the air, going back home. It felt strange to have them missing from our group in the afternoon and evening. We really got attached to them. :o) For a bunch of strangers from all over the place, we really connected well and feel like the women have each become dear friends. And we have them on retainer for the next time...they're not going to be rid of us that easily. :o)
Photos from our Saturday, full of fun, emotion and food are here.
In the evening, Ruth, our interpreter, invited us to her home to visit her students. We got caught in a brief downpour, and we ducked under a couple of shop umbrellas until Ruth met us to guide us to her place. She tutors them in English, and she wanted them to have the opportunity to talk to native English speakers. She has three different age groups, and we each had a great time, asking questions and being asked questions in return. Bethany and Suzanne spent time with the younger children playing Pictionary and I Spy to help them learn. Vickie, Patti, and I spoke to the older ones about culture, local sightseeing, food, and family--from both sides of the ocean. It was wonderful! Ruth took us on a walk of the campus of Normal University, where all the teachers are trained. It really is lovely, full of banyan trees, flowers, and green grass. It has an impressive history of almost 300 years.
We ate a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, and witnessed a graduation party. It looked like they're pretty universal. :o) It was a fantastic day, and we feel like we're seeing a new, fuller view of Zhanjiang, and China in general...it's wonderful to see the un-commercialized side. And it's all thanks to new friends who are willing to show us hospitality. Case in point: we had a difficult time getting a taxi to get to the hotel yesterday. Ruth flagged down a random guy in a car and asked him if we could hire him to take us to the hotel. He agreed, and when we got there, he absolutely refused to take any money, despite about five attempts. We couldn't believe the kindness of a complete stranger for a bunch of foreigners...it was just another reason on a long list, to love this beautiful place.
Val, for ZKO
At lunch, we met the older school children at KFC. That was WONDERFUL. I've been so anxious to see them, as we've watched them grow up over the last several years, and they remember us from our last visits. I got to see, talk to, and take photos of three very special little girls who are getting adopted. I had the opportunity to break the news to a little one I've loved since 2008 when I first met her, that she FINALLY has a family. The team all got to watch our interpreter relay the information, and we were all soggy messes. She is THRILLED, btw. I also got to tell the other two little girls that their families are on their way very soon! My heart is full to know that there are still wonderful families out there willing to take a leap of faith and adopt older children. To see their delight in being wanted just makes this the best job in the world...
After lunch, Elsa (the wonderful woman who will likely be there in Guangzhou when you adopt your children) took us to the pearl market. Since the pearls are grown and harvested (is that the proper term?) here, the prices are fantastic. It is right around the corner from our hotel, so Brooke and Ellen were able to join us for a few minutes before they had to return to the hotel to get their things. They are now in the air, going back home. It felt strange to have them missing from our group in the afternoon and evening. We really got attached to them. :o) For a bunch of strangers from all over the place, we really connected well and feel like the women have each become dear friends. And we have them on retainer for the next time...they're not going to be rid of us that easily. :o)
Photos from our Saturday, full of fun, emotion and food are here.
In the evening, Ruth, our interpreter, invited us to her home to visit her students. We got caught in a brief downpour, and we ducked under a couple of shop umbrellas until Ruth met us to guide us to her place. She tutors them in English, and she wanted them to have the opportunity to talk to native English speakers. She has three different age groups, and we each had a great time, asking questions and being asked questions in return. Bethany and Suzanne spent time with the younger children playing Pictionary and I Spy to help them learn. Vickie, Patti, and I spoke to the older ones about culture, local sightseeing, food, and family--from both sides of the ocean. It was wonderful! Ruth took us on a walk of the campus of Normal University, where all the teachers are trained. It really is lovely, full of banyan trees, flowers, and green grass. It has an impressive history of almost 300 years.
We ate a delicious dinner at a local restaurant, and witnessed a graduation party. It looked like they're pretty universal. :o) It was a fantastic day, and we feel like we're seeing a new, fuller view of Zhanjiang, and China in general...it's wonderful to see the un-commercialized side. And it's all thanks to new friends who are willing to show us hospitality. Case in point: we had a difficult time getting a taxi to get to the hotel yesterday. Ruth flagged down a random guy in a car and asked him if we could hire him to take us to the hotel. He agreed, and when we got there, he absolutely refused to take any money, despite about five attempts. We couldn't believe the kindness of a complete stranger for a bunch of foreigners...it was just another reason on a long list, to love this beautiful place.
Val, for ZKO
Day 6, May 20th
Friday was spent having a relaxing morning, and then going to the social welfare institute (SWI) in the afternoon. Every Friday, the SWI is cleaned top to bottom, so it was not a good time to visit in the am. In the afternoon, we were taken upstairs to see the school for the children who aren't able to go to the public school because of a disability. They have two classrooms and a large library, and also a computer room.
We again did a short play time with the Preschool special needs kids. We were amazed by how quickly the children have picked up skills and shown their creativity, from just being given the tools to do so for a few days. There is a little one who appears to be blind & deaf, but she was soon lacing cards like a pro. We sat there with our mouths open. We weren't the only ones, as Ms. Yi ran to get her nannies, so they could watch her. Their exclamations were so fun to see. We are excited to be showing them just a little of these kids' potential, and how play is so vital to opening up their ability to lean. We have some really great structures being made from Legos/Duplos, beautiful art to bring home, and were watching them string beads.
As we left, it got really difficult. "George" our wild man, was just crushed. He cried and cried--we are supposing he thought it was our last day, and things weren't much better on our side of the gate. We'll have one more, Monday, but I'm assuming it will be just as difficult for the team. Our hearts have been left on Sixth Floor. We can't wait to see a structured program set up, with teachers with dreams helping these children achieve the previously unimaginable. Thanks for joining us on this wonderful journey!
Photos from Day 5 may be viewed here.
Val, for ZKO
We again did a short play time with the Preschool special needs kids. We were amazed by how quickly the children have picked up skills and shown their creativity, from just being given the tools to do so for a few days. There is a little one who appears to be blind & deaf, but she was soon lacing cards like a pro. We sat there with our mouths open. We weren't the only ones, as Ms. Yi ran to get her nannies, so they could watch her. Their exclamations were so fun to see. We are excited to be showing them just a little of these kids' potential, and how play is so vital to opening up their ability to lean. We have some really great structures being made from Legos/Duplos, beautiful art to bring home, and were watching them string beads.
As we left, it got really difficult. "George" our wild man, was just crushed. He cried and cried--we are supposing he thought it was our last day, and things weren't much better on our side of the gate. We'll have one more, Monday, but I'm assuming it will be just as difficult for the team. Our hearts have been left on Sixth Floor. We can't wait to see a structured program set up, with teachers with dreams helping these children achieve the previously unimaginable. Thanks for joining us on this wonderful journey!
Photos from Day 5 may be viewed here.
Val, for ZKO
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Day 5, May 19th
Hello from Zhanjiang!
This is Vickie writing today's journal, so if I repeat anything Val has already said, I apologize in advance.
This trip has been amazing on so many levels. The team of professionals we brought along are simply amazing. They each bring such a high level of expertise in their individual fields, but their hearts are all the same. Each of them have such a love for children and a deep desire to help those with special needs. At the end of each day we meet together as a team and they talk about each child and their individual needs. We've had the opportunity to meet with every child on the "little kids" floor of the orphanage and have started to learn not only about their special needs, but about their personalities and who they are as a person. On the first day we arrived, many of the children were very shy and withdrawn and like an onion, we've peeled away layer after layer to discover the little person that exists inside of each of them. Now when we arrive in the mornings the children come running down the hallway towards us and grab our hands, dragging us into the classroom ready to start their day with us.
This morning the team finished up with the last of the evaluations on the children. Each of the children was seen by our medical team for vision, hearing and a basic medical checkup. They also met with our therapist for a PT and OT evaluation, and of our intervention specialist for their education assessment. We now have a better understanding what the needs are that need to be met for these children and what we need to do in order to meet these needs.
After lunch we went back to the orphanage and set up organized group play stations. We had a station for Legos, one for fine motors skills (stringing beads and sewing boards), one for coloring and one for large muscle with games of hop scotch, and various other outdoor games. For me it was the highlight of the week so far. To watch the children play in a group setting--the giggles, the smiles, and especially watching the children learn how to share, take turns and just have the opportunity to play like normal children.
After we were finished we had fun making a game out of picking up the toys and cleaning the room. ZKO hosted the directors and the SWI office staff to dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner I thanked Director Su and Ms. Yi for welcoming us back to Zhanjiang and for allowing our team the opportunity to work with their children this week. I conveyed our thanks for not only their business relationship with ZKO, but also for the friendships which have been developed over the years. I expressed ZKO's continued commitment to work beside them in an effort to do everything we can to help the children in the Zhanjiang orphanage. I emphasized the wonderful care the Open Arms Aunties give to the babies in the program and how important this program has been to help the babies adjust to their families once they are adopted. Director Su then addressed our team with his thanks for our hard work this week and our continued efforts in the future. He then told us that we were "angels to the children." For those of you who have never had the privilege of meeting Director Su in person, I cannot say enough good things about him. He truly has a heart for the children in Zhanjiang's orphanage and works very hard to do everything he can to see they are provided for.
Our team is planning on taking the morning off from the orphanage and will spend time talking about each child and their file of assessments. We'll return to the orphanage tomorrow afternoon to spend more time with the children in organized group play. I can hardly wait to see all of them again!
I hope everyone has enjoyed following along this week. Many thanks to everyone who has dropped us a line. Your support and words of encouragement mean so much to us.
Photos from Day 5 may be viewed here.
Vickie
This is Vickie writing today's journal, so if I repeat anything Val has already said, I apologize in advance.
This trip has been amazing on so many levels. The team of professionals we brought along are simply amazing. They each bring such a high level of expertise in their individual fields, but their hearts are all the same. Each of them have such a love for children and a deep desire to help those with special needs. At the end of each day we meet together as a team and they talk about each child and their individual needs. We've had the opportunity to meet with every child on the "little kids" floor of the orphanage and have started to learn not only about their special needs, but about their personalities and who they are as a person. On the first day we arrived, many of the children were very shy and withdrawn and like an onion, we've peeled away layer after layer to discover the little person that exists inside of each of them. Now when we arrive in the mornings the children come running down the hallway towards us and grab our hands, dragging us into the classroom ready to start their day with us.
This morning the team finished up with the last of the evaluations on the children. Each of the children was seen by our medical team for vision, hearing and a basic medical checkup. They also met with our therapist for a PT and OT evaluation, and of our intervention specialist for their education assessment. We now have a better understanding what the needs are that need to be met for these children and what we need to do in order to meet these needs.
After lunch we went back to the orphanage and set up organized group play stations. We had a station for Legos, one for fine motors skills (stringing beads and sewing boards), one for coloring and one for large muscle with games of hop scotch, and various other outdoor games. For me it was the highlight of the week so far. To watch the children play in a group setting--the giggles, the smiles, and especially watching the children learn how to share, take turns and just have the opportunity to play like normal children.
After we were finished we had fun making a game out of picking up the toys and cleaning the room. ZKO hosted the directors and the SWI office staff to dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner I thanked Director Su and Ms. Yi for welcoming us back to Zhanjiang and for allowing our team the opportunity to work with their children this week. I conveyed our thanks for not only their business relationship with ZKO, but also for the friendships which have been developed over the years. I expressed ZKO's continued commitment to work beside them in an effort to do everything we can to help the children in the Zhanjiang orphanage. I emphasized the wonderful care the Open Arms Aunties give to the babies in the program and how important this program has been to help the babies adjust to their families once they are adopted. Director Su then addressed our team with his thanks for our hard work this week and our continued efforts in the future. He then told us that we were "angels to the children." For those of you who have never had the privilege of meeting Director Su in person, I cannot say enough good things about him. He truly has a heart for the children in Zhanjiang's orphanage and works very hard to do everything he can to see they are provided for.
Our team is planning on taking the morning off from the orphanage and will spend time talking about each child and their file of assessments. We'll return to the orphanage tomorrow afternoon to spend more time with the children in organized group play. I can hardly wait to see all of them again!
I hope everyone has enjoyed following along this week. Many thanks to everyone who has dropped us a line. Your support and words of encouragement mean so much to us.
Photos from Day 5 may be viewed here.
Vickie
Photos from Day 4
Tailor's shop
Tailor's shop
Tailor
Our Team & Elsa(from Left) Ellen (PT), Patti (RN),Brooke (RN), Bethany (nursing student),
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 2, May 16th
After a good night's rest (for most, and relatively-speaking LOL) we met for breakfast to make some tentative plans for the day. The SWI's driver was waiting for us at the hotel and we loaded up the suitcases of supplies for our week. They are full of testing equipment, toys, games, and snacks. At the SWI, Ms. Yi and Dir. Su welcomed us in the conference room, and introduced us to the guides they had found for us. We have a teacher and two students from Normal University, which means it's a school for teachers as our helpers for this week. Ruth is a teacher of Comprehensive English, and Stefan and Vincent are English Majors. They are wonderful people as well as terrific interpreters.
They asked if we wanted to start our week by visiting the babies---isn't that the VERY best way to start anything? We played, held babies, rocked, and tried to bottle it all up in our memory banks for about two hours. It was absolutely wonderful. Our team's expertise was drawn-upon during that time for various medical issues the staff wanted to address in some of the children, and we are so grateful for all they bring to the team. The babies in OpenArms are doing so well. It was very evident what one-on-one care is bringing to their little lives. The babies know their individual aunties--when one was inconsolable, the auntie gave the child to to her own auntie, and the wailing stopped. These children were giving high fives, dancing, throwing balls, and just having a great time. Their apprehension of us was short-lived as they warmed right up to us. One by one, they drifted off to sleep as it was time for lunch and naps. Our hearts were full from seeing the results of the love of strangers from half a world away. Thank you, thank you, for being a part of this vital program.
Dir. Su and Ms. Yi took us to a lovely lunch to welcome us. It was beautifully presented as always, and the table was full of amazing, delicious food. After lunch, it was time to go back to the orphanage to start on "real" work. We decided that the afternoon would be spent just playing with the preschool candidates to help them warm up to us before the individual assessments begin. To honor the directors' wishes, we have no photos to show of this phase. The children were delightful, and the team members took notes as they played, deciding in which direction to go with this new program. Seeing what they did with stickers, crayons, and paper made our teachers ache to give them art supplies. We will definitely be incorporating art, music, and games. We left with minds whirling, full of questions and ideas and possibilities. We are so anxious to see what we can do with the potential that is evident. Thanks to the generosity of your gifts and trust in ZKO, these children will have the gift of education and enrichment very soon.
In the evening, our interpreters--and new friends, took us to a wonderful little Mongolian restaurant. We had delicious food (again!), and great conversation. We were fading fast once our feet stopped moving, and once we got back to the hotel, we decided to make it another early night and re-group the next morning when we could again think straight. Thanks for following us, and for your kind words and thoughts.
Val, for ZKO
They asked if we wanted to start our week by visiting the babies---isn't that the VERY best way to start anything? We played, held babies, rocked, and tried to bottle it all up in our memory banks for about two hours. It was absolutely wonderful. Our team's expertise was drawn-upon during that time for various medical issues the staff wanted to address in some of the children, and we are so grateful for all they bring to the team. The babies in OpenArms are doing so well. It was very evident what one-on-one care is bringing to their little lives. The babies know their individual aunties--when one was inconsolable, the auntie gave the child to to her own auntie, and the wailing stopped. These children were giving high fives, dancing, throwing balls, and just having a great time. Their apprehension of us was short-lived as they warmed right up to us. One by one, they drifted off to sleep as it was time for lunch and naps. Our hearts were full from seeing the results of the love of strangers from half a world away. Thank you, thank you, for being a part of this vital program.
Dir. Su and Ms. Yi took us to a lovely lunch to welcome us. It was beautifully presented as always, and the table was full of amazing, delicious food. After lunch, it was time to go back to the orphanage to start on "real" work. We decided that the afternoon would be spent just playing with the preschool candidates to help them warm up to us before the individual assessments begin. To honor the directors' wishes, we have no photos to show of this phase. The children were delightful, and the team members took notes as they played, deciding in which direction to go with this new program. Seeing what they did with stickers, crayons, and paper made our teachers ache to give them art supplies. We will definitely be incorporating art, music, and games. We left with minds whirling, full of questions and ideas and possibilities. We are so anxious to see what we can do with the potential that is evident. Thanks to the generosity of your gifts and trust in ZKO, these children will have the gift of education and enrichment very soon.
In the evening, our interpreters--and new friends, took us to a wonderful little Mongolian restaurant. We had delicious food (again!), and great conversation. We were fading fast once our feet stopped moving, and once we got back to the hotel, we decided to make it another early night and re-group the next morning when we could again think straight. Thanks for following us, and for your kind words and thoughts.
Val, for ZKO
Day 1, Sunday am 11am update
Well, we're here safely, and it's wonderful to be back in this beautiful city again. Dir. Su, Ms. Yi, and Elsa were waiting for us at the airport and welcomed us so warmly. They gave us the opportunity to tale the rest of the day to rest, for which we were so grateful. We met as a team to tentatively plan our Monday, and Vickie and I are again amazed at the wonderful people who have joined us to give of their talents. These are some amazing women, and I can't wait to see how many lives are changed because of their generosity. Thanks for following us, and thanks to Mike Mahathy for updating the blog for us!
Val, for ZKO
Val, for ZKO
A welcome oasis, a Starbucks in the Guangzhou airport
The team, from left: Bethany, Patti, Vicki, Brooke, Suzanne, Ellen,
and Val (not shown)
Inside our lovely hotel
The best sight this mama has seen for what seems like a very long time. Thank you Skype.
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