As we have said before…we have finished our commitment with
one orphanage and have started work at an orphanage a couple hours away. But it’s really hard to leave our
good friends at HZ. They have requested that we keep coming back if only
for a day or so to check in and see some kids. Well, how can
we resist? We love staying at the
orphanage dorms and waking up to the familiar sounds. We love that they always have several adorable kids lined up
waiting to be ‘interviewed’ by us.
The privilege of being greeted by the most charming children
imaginable is irresistible. Children that wish to be adopted and would
fit in so well in families here in the US.. And they are artists! Their creativity has been developed in
amazing ways.
The kids sing and
dance in solos, duets and groups..
They confidently recite Chinese poetry… and they draw…Wow, do they draw! One child we saw drew what he explained as a children’s outing, complete with the bus, the traffic jam, the lines of
children with two adults and the happy tree that wore a smile because the
children did not pick the origami flowers, which he carefully glued onto the tree. Other children drew happy houses and
suns in the sky.
Another child
drew a scary monster! Lot’s of
kids love to draw people... and umbrellas!
A little boy with Down syndrome quickly traced his hand so he could run
to the front of the class and have me photograph him. So cute! The
fine arts are a huge part of the Chinese culture and one that we hope adoptive
parents will continue to embrace and encourage. We are so happy that the staff became inspired after visiting centers in the US in 2011 that they have fully embraced the concept of inclusion!
Children who were previously left behind are now being included in the
classrooms and the arts programs.
And the staff have realized that the children accept each and every one
unconditionally. Well of course
they do. That is a pretty cool
concept. I’m so glad we are all on
the same page.
