Friday, October 26, 2012

I know from the adoption community, that there were many children adopted in the last year. I know of hundreds of kids we screened in 3 years' time that are now living in happy families here in the US, the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain. It's such a heartwarming thought being lulled into believing that the numbers are decreasing.  That's why I think it's ironic that on our last trip to Hangzhou CWI, where we were asked to screen only the newcomers it was our busiest day yet. We saw 49 children, mostly infants who, for various reasons, arrived this year on the orphanage doorstep. Mostly babies, but some toddlers as well. Most of the children we saw have special needs, such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, limb deficits, and cleft lip and palate to name a few. A few newborns had no apparent special needs or resolved needs such as neonatal jaundice. 
While walking to and from the exam building, it was touching to see the school age children we have gotten to know well in the last 3 years excitedly waving and saying "hello!" in their very best English. You can't walk by a morning preschooler parade without smiling and wiping a tear away.  Life goes on... 

2 comments:

  1. I can't thank you enough for the work you've done in Hangzhou. Our little Jaidin is amazing and I know it's in part due to how you helped and taught the caregivers. Thank you so so so much! I hate that this is your last trip here, I was really hoping to join you some time here;)

    Blessings to all of you!

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  2. Hi Rachel. Thnk you so much for your thoughts! I just love seeing Jaidin's pictures on FB :-) !! We are starting in a new orphanage in Ningbo, a couple hours from Hangzhou. Even though we are officially finished with Hangzhou, they have asked us to return for a couple of days each time we go to Ningbo. This year we brought two of the therapists from HZ with us and plan to have them join our team each year. It was a great trip this year!

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