Today I want to share with you the highlight of our trip to China. Many of you have written to me asking about Sophie’s return to her orphanage. It was profoundly emotional, especially for Sophie, because she has never visited any orphanage before. She lived there from the day she was found (at 2 days old) until I came to China to adopt her. (8 months old)
These days there are hardly any healthy babies waiting to be adopted. Most of the kids abandoned and living in the orphanages have physical and/or mental disabilities…also known as Special Needs kids. As you can imagine, these kids are less likely to be adopted, but there are still loving families who seek out these children to adopt. I have been told by an American doctor that the areas with the most pollution and industrial toxins, have the highest percentages of kids born with these problems…up to 30%-40%…but fortunately China is now starting to take action to clean the air, water, and land.
First we visited the new orphanage and the babies and young children living there. Sophie fed, played with, and held several of these children. I know she will never forget these children, because I can never forget the kids I have met in orphanages. The little boy who could not sit up or walk, who showered her face with sweet kisses when she held him, I know will be in her heart forever. When she put the boy down and we had to leave the room, she wept for those children who will never have a family. However the nannies were wonderfully tender and caring to these children, the kids and facilities were clean, and they were being fed a very nutritious meal when we arrived.
We know it can’t be this kind of care for all orphans and homeless children around the world, so we continue to focus on helping these kids living in neglect and poverty, through our charity programs – with Altrusa, Mission of Love, and Engineers Without Borders. Again, we thank you so much for your support of our business and our charity programs, so we can continue to help those in need.
The other part of the story is when the staff went with us to visit her ‘finding place’ – the place she was found when abandoned. In her file was the letter written by the policeman who found her and brought her to the orphanage. What a precious document! Then we piled into 2 cars and drove around looking for this building.
We arrived at a dilapidated old building, and the staff said “Oh no this can’t be right” and they walked away to talk to people on the street to find out where was the building. She was found at the gate of a village community center building. As Sophie and I stood alone in front of this building we were both having the same feeling – got teary-eyed – and agreed that this was indeed the right place. After awhile the staff came back and said – Yes! – this was the village community building! It was old and crumbling, due to be demolished soon. So if we had waited any longer to visit, it might not be there.
I will continue to add to my Travel Diary here, and I have uploaded photos from our day at the orphanage on my photo page. We just got back late Sunday night so give me a few more days to catch up!
Sincerely,
Luana and Paul
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eQuilter Classroom & Travel Calendar:
Jan 12 – eQuilter Charity Sewing Day – Please RSVP
Jan 24-29 – Luana @ Tokyo Quilt Festival
Feb 14-16 – ‘Love Your Mother‘ exhibit at Mexico Quilt Festival in Mexico City
Feb 20-23 – QuiltCon – Nashville TN
Feb 24 – Lynn Koolish CQC Workshop @ eQuilter
Mar 28-30 – ‘Love Your Mother‘ exhibit at Spring Quilt Festival in Chicago
July 11-14, 2019 – Cindy Lohbeck – Shibori, Ice-Dyeing and Ombre Dyeing Workshops @ eQuilter
4 Classes $50 each – $80-$100 Materials Fee
