Leaving China

It was time to say goodbye to Bengbu, again, and "for now".  Goodbyes have always been sad, but I am old enough to know that they are just chapters, and new chapters are soon to begin.  Emma bids adieu to Bengbu, but I know in my heart she will be back.  As the old Chinese saying goes - "Luo Ye Gui Gen". .."[no matter if a tree grows to 10,000 feet], Falling leaves return to the root".

Our Fellowship had come to an end, a very successful and meaningful journey.

 (above) one last tourist stop, at the end of Nanjing Road is the Bund, and the multitude gathered to see the lights along the Huangpu river were snapping photos with their selfie-sticks.  Police were already gathered in preparation for the New Year's Eve celebration (this photo was taken on the 30th of December).  Last year at this time (December 31, 2014), there was a stampede at this location due to severe overcrowding during the New Year's celebration, and several people had died.

Below - On our last day in Shanghai, we had some much needed family time, as we bid farewell to Emma and her mother.  We had one last meal at one of our favorite hotpot restaurants - the Dolar Shop.

And off we trudged with our suitcases that had circled the globe several times over the past several years (they had been with us at this location 5 years ago!) towards the subway, and to the airport.  We were there in record time.  That's definitely the way to go, if you're not too saddled with luggage.

 Below - In line for boarding!

Below is a little model by the departure gates.  It's been there several years now, and I remember our kids playing as preschoolers in this area.  As we departed this time, however, they gave me a dismissive look as they were preoccupied with their electronic devices.  Ahh, the good old days...

 

 

 

Meng Lu - could use our help

Meng Lu is a young man who has spent his entire life in the orphanage.  Although he has a severe physical disability, his sharp mind and determination has not let this stop him.  He is an accomplished artist, he has taught himself some English, and is working desperately to make it on his own.  He is not the only one.  I shudder to think about how many of aged out orphans there are in Bengbu.  But I would like to do our best to give Meng Lu a good start by trying to help him.  Although the government has been kind enough to give him an apartment, it is of need of upgrade in order to make this adequate for his special needs.  In particular, everything needs to be modified to be lower to the ground for his access.  If these images touch you, please contact me, and lets work together to do what is needed (funding and logistics)

Due to severe scoliosis, this is how tall Meng Lu stands.  Everything in the room needs to be accommodating of his physical stature.

 The state of the apartment is still in final construction, but even in its cleaned state, it won't look different than this.  The shower head is high.  There is no hot water heater.  the sink is high.  This needs to change.

 All the items and countertops are high.  this needs to change

 Here is the gas connection for the cooking connection.  Again, this needs to be brought down to suit Meng Lu.

Please see a video presentation of this apartment.

 Me and Meng Lu in 2007

 A cart that was used in Meng Lu in 2006, with Packages of Hope donations, we were able to get him a new electric cart.




Meng Lu's artwork below:

Bengbu Museum of History

So many new things in Bengbu.  New construction, new buildings.


We were able to be the very first foreign visitors during normal hours on only the 3rd day of the new Bengbu museum of history. 


The museum was incredibly impressive, and showed relics of history from Bengbu and the surrounding area, dating back 100,000 years to a skeleton of a mastodon elephant.  It covers so much of the history, from ancient Neolithic settlements excavated in the immediate area, pottery, jade, tools, weapons, statues, artwork, clothing, boats, farm tools, food, style, all the way through present day.  It was extremely well done.


I am a huge museum nerd, and I have to give this museum an A+ for both presentation and content.  It rivals the very best history museums I have been to, which are the British Museum in London,  and the history museum in Munich.  I

 The main lobby of the museum.  Some of the floors were not open yet

 overhead artistic walkway was not yet open

 The oldest archaeological finds

 This was the "Mona Lisa" of the museum.  A centerpiece to their collection, and known by many Bengbu residents.  It is dated at 7300 years old, and is of a tattooed face. This was found locally several years ago. The actual size is only a few inches high.  But this image is recreated around Bengbu and serves as an icon for the city.

 A very detailed explanation of this ancient settlement site, excavated very close to the city.

 In another wing of the museum, 20th century history is explored, and Steven admitted to me, that he never knew of the ancient history of this area prior to visiting the museum.  He had only heard of the history of Bengbu starting with the railroad, including the arrival of western train builders from Germany.

 

 They even went into history of the cuisine of the area, which I found of particular (and delicious) interest. 

 There was a very interesting and well done section for children, with hands-on displays talking about archaeological methods.

 This was a computer animated display.  If you twisted a stick in a hole with the proper speed and intensity, a fire would appear on the screen.

 

 In this section, there was a life sized diorama of an example of a typical household room in different eras.  The above was from the late 19th century

 This was a representation of the late 1980's, which is perhaps what the household of Emma's birthparents may have looked like.

And of course, I was easily distracted from my museum gawking, to have a look at these incredibly cute Bengbu babies!!

The moment we've all been waiting for....

I am always very happy to make a donation for the children of Bengbu SWI.  We have built a long history of trust with the orphanage staff, and our donation money is very effectively in stretching our donation dollars to their maximum.  Steven will often accompany Ms. Wan to the distribution shops, where they make an exception to sell directly to her.  This is only done for the case of the children, and we get a really good deal.


I was happy to have Emma along with us, so that she could see our donations as well, and be there to witness our presentation of our Packages of Hope poster to Director Song.




You can see that video here.

 Director Song, and the orphanage staff recognize many of the children adopted over the years. A special family in Norway, and a longtime donor and supporter of Packages of Hope, will appreciate the above photo.

Thank you Director Song for your openness and your heart for the children.  Without his help, none of our efforts would be possible.






Several families had sent messages to me, which I hand delivered to the orphanage director.  Unfortunately, Ms. Wan could not join us this time, as her mother unexpectedly fell and broke her hip.  She was in the hospital caring for her.

In addition to the gray hairs, another difference to the presentation of letters from the families... reading glasses!



The director took us to see the donations we provided to the orphanage, which was a real treat.  A lot of clothing for the children against the cold winter weather.

 Steven Tao carefully reviewing the receipt for all our donations.(above)

Here is a video of the donations


After having a look at the donations, we were shown some of the special programs that are being provided at the SWI, including programs for the hearing impaired.  There are assessment equipment and doctors dedicated to the care of the children. 

As a very special gift, Emma was invited to play music for the children of her former orphanage.  I know I had to fight back a tear or two.

Emma was also able to meet a few of the nannies that were there at the time she was a baby (below).  I don't know what they put in the water in Bengbu, but I don't understand how these people can look so young!!!

Do you like this girl?  Would you like to call her your own?  TOO LATE!  Her forever family has finally found her, and she will be home in just a few months!


We were able to have a bit of fun with the children, with my daughter, and then finally me, was able to join in with some dancing.


I was then presented with an ambassador award, one of only two given in the history of the orphanage.  Steven Tao had accepted it for me at the Spring Festival last year, but they were able to give it to me now (below):

In all, I was humbled and honored to help our donors provide for the children of the orphanage.  THANK YOU ALL for donating to Packages of Hope to help all these beautiful children at the Bengbu SWI.