Visit to Zhuzhou

I don't even know where to begin.  It's been a really long, emotional, difficult, but, oh-so-important day.  I'm too tired to write much but will try.

We began our 1 hour drive to ZZ this morning around 8:30.  Nathan seemed fine about going, and was eager to bring a few small gifts to his foster family and friends at school.  We went to the orphanage first, where we were met by the vice-director again and also the woman, Ms. Liu,  who coordinates the foster care program that was started by CCAI (a large China adoption agency).  We have pictures of Nathan with this woman and she seems to know him well.  She also wrote all the wonderful foster care updates we were able to read while we waited for Nathan.

We learned that there are 280 kids under the care of the orphanage, but that about two-thirds of them are in foster care.  46 of the foster kids are in the CCAI sponsored program, the rest are funded by the orphanage.  Children with more severe special needs are generally kept in the orphanage.  We had requested to meet Nathan's former foster sister, Hai Yan, who goes to school at the orphanage, so we visited her class.  There were about 7 or 8 kids in the class, and it was an interesting mix of kids- Hai Yan and a couple of the other children had very minor special needs, a couple of the kids had Downs Syndrome, one was mildly autistic and delayed.  They were singing and dancing when we came in.  Tomorrow, if I can figure it out, I will post a video.  We then went outside with the class and some older developmentally delayed kids and took some pictures. 

Hai Yan, me, and a little girl with 'mild autism'

A little bit about Hai Yan.  We had been told that the foster family was in the process of adopting her (a very unusual event).  Once we got to China, we were told that they had 'given up' on adopting her, and in fact, she had been moved from their home late this summer to another family so she could attend the orphanage school.  Not sure of the details on this, but I do know her foster mother is very sad about it, and so is Hai Yan.  Her paperwork has been submitted to CCAA as of June 2010 and she is on the shared list.  Here is another pic of Hai Yan with Ms. Liu:

And with Amy:

Anyway, while we were meeting Hai Yan, the staff told her that we were Xu's American parents and that we wanted to find her an American mama and baba.  She told them that "No, I want THIS mama and baba!" meaning Marc and me.  Since that is highly unlikely barring divine intervention in multiple arenas, I am putting the word out here that one very cute, very spunky, very lively 7 year old girl needs a family.  She and Nathan were very close and had been raised in the same foster home for several years.  I would really like to see her find a family.

We also met a few children with Down's Syndrome.  I told the vice-director that there have been a few kids with Downs Syndrome from China that have been adopted.  She couldn't believe it.  I told her I would try to find out more information, but I know there are families who are led to do this, and I'd love any more information if anyone reading has any on how we could advocate for her kids if she submits their paperwork.

                                       The vice-director and a little one with Downs Syndrome

Visiting an orphanage is always an emotional experience for me (and I would think it would be for anybody.)  No matter how 'good' the orphanage is, it's still an orphanage, with little people who don't have a family of their own.  No matter how kind and attentive their caregivers (and at ZZ, they seemed very kind and attentive), it is no way, no how, any kind of substititute for a family.  I find it totally heartbreaking.

As we left the orphanage, Nathan gave his yo-yo away to an older, developmentally disabled guy who lives at the orphanage.  One thing I love about this kid is his generous spirit- he is always thinking of others when it comes to things and food.

We then drove to the place where Nathan was found when he was almost 9 months old.  Not much to say about it- the place isnt' the same as it was 9 years ago, with new construction.  9 years ago, it was sort of the dividing line between the city and the suburbs.

We then headed out to the countryside to visit the foster family.  That story will have to wait another day, as I need to get some sleep.  But here is a pic to hold you over: