Swinging Panda

Some of you know that I love pandas and almost anything panda. My nickname is Panda.

To help raise funds for my trip I am selling a panda collectible. I love it so I hope to find it a nice home. If you like pandas would you consider adopting Swinging Panda?

You may view her file here:

http://bit.ly/NmXM4w

A little teary,

Meijie

Thoughts on Education in Zhanjiang

My Dad wrote an article for the diversity newsletter at his employer.  I wrote about "You and Me" on my first post I and this article seems to fit so I am sharing with you. I also enjoyed meeting the students at the Zhanjiang school. I so look forward to seeing new students later this year.

His article:

This past November I took Meijie, my ten-year old Chinese daughter, back to the country of her birth for of a heritage tour and orphanage reunion. Meijie and I spent several days in Beijing, Guangzhou and Zhanjiang, the city where her life began. We toured the Summer Palace, toured a Hutung in a rickshaw, walked to the top of the Badaling portion of the Great Wall, sunned on a tropical beach, visited a United Nations zoological park at the site of a volcanic lake, and shopped at jade and pearl factories and even in a Chinese street market. We were served many Chinese meals of varying cuisine and had Thanksgiving lunch at a Kentucky Fried Chicken; I could write a separate article just about the food.

We had special times everyday but for as long as I have memory two events will stand out. It’s hard to top visiting the Great Wall but these other two do just that, to me anyway. In Zhanjiang we visited Number 16 Primary School. The visit with the children of the primary school was quite fun for Meijie and me and I think the school children enjoyed it as well; in fact I know they did. Members of our group played games with the students and at least one parent even performed in a group dance routine but his identity will not be revealed here. While the visit was very fun; it also gave the message that children everywhere are children with the same dreams as our children (look at the photos and see if you agree) and that education is the key to better lives for all children and humanity.  I was not quite sure why we were going to visit a school or what we would actually see.  As soon as we got off our buses school children were waving at us at the school gate. The school principal gave us a very warm welcome also telling us about the curriculum. We entered the large courtyard where the early grades were performing physical education and dance routines. Some of our children joined in. Some of our parents joined tag relay races with students. As the older children came to the courtyard each of them sought our families for autographs. I signed at least one hundred. I am not worthy.  We were allowed to take as many photos as we wanted; most of the Chinese students enjoyed having their photos taken.  This interaction of students and teachers with us lasted well over an hour. For the grand finale the school’s drum and bugle marching band (fifth to eighth grades) put on a spectacular show.  Their choreography was well planned and their marching skills were well beyond what one would expect for such a young group; yet their musical performance was quite good also. What a most wonderful afternoon!

The other event that took a piece of my heart was our visit the orphanage where Meijie was nurtured for the first year of her life; for a reunion with caregivers that loved her. On a Friday morning in Zhanjiang, we realized that purpose and so much more.  We arrived around 9 AM at the Zhanjiang orphanage.  Just like had been the case for our visit of the primary school children were at the front date welcoming us.  Banners proclaimed the Zhanjiang children homecoming and there were many decorations about. Shortly thereafter we got to meet Li Ping, Meijie’s nanny.  Li Ping cried; we cried.  We knew several years ago that Meijie was one of Li Ping’s favorite daughters of China; she still loves Meijie.  Meijie grasped the moment, the feeling, and the knowledge of another tie to her beginnings, to her past.

The orphanage staff and Zhanjiang city government put on a celebration for our families and the children of the orphanage. It was quite a celebration too! The Vice-mayor of Zhanjiang gave us a warm welcome. Each family was recognized (our children by their Chinese name) and were applauded. There were performances by Chinese drummers, children from the orphanage and even by our children. The highlight of these performances to me was when the Zhanjiang children sang “You and Me,” the theme some of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. I don’t think there was an adult dry eye in the audience, not Chinese or foreign.  Our girls then presented gift bags to each child in the orphanage. I can’t describe how moving the ceremony was but it got better. The orphanage staff gave us tours of the orphanage. Bedrooms accommodate about ten children in each dormitory room; though neatly made the beds contain wood for a mattress. Tears again flowed; this time from the somber thought of why these children were not adopted instead of ours.

Such sights and thoughts gave me pause for a thankful heart. We did relish the knowledge that the children have a homework/study room. The orphanage strives to make education a high priority of care; these children attend Number 16 Public School. The visit to the orphanage was a day that saw extreme happiness but also a day of inner reflection about the children that may never know a family. Yet, one thing, one thing that I saw, gives me hope for Meijie’s cousins, education. By seeing the results of the local school I know the Zhanjiang children are benefiting. Through education perhaps those children and even our children, yours too, might change their worlds, our worlds. I saw children learning just like mine. As the lyrics to “You and Me” say, “Put your hand in mine. You and me, from one world. We are family.”

Please remember my offer of the art print for a donation of $12.00 or more to help Fujiao and me travel to China. Thank you.

-Meijie

You and Me

Hi! I'm Mejie. I am 11-years old. I was born in China, abandoned on the steps of a hospital in 2000. No need to feel sorry for me. I was adopted in 2001; I have a great life with my family. I was fortunate to visit China in 2010 with my father and others as part of a Chinese children homeland tour. It was an experience I will forever cherish, and this year, in November, I hope to do back with your younger sister, Jujiao.

While we were in Zhanjiang our group got to spend time with children at the orphanage.  Some of these children were my age; there were at the orphanage as babies when I was there.  I realized how fortunate I was to have been adopted. I am glad to say that several of them have been adopted since I saw them; that makes me so happy!
Hello Li Wei. Hello Yung Tu.

The staff and children at the orphanage treated us to a celebration. It was so joyous.  I got to see my nanny that took care of me when I was just a baby.  She remembered me; we cried. But the occasion was also joyous. One of the things that sticks out is children of the orphanage singing the theme song of the 2008 Beijing summer olympics, You and Me.  The last four lines of the lyrics please me, haunt me:

Come together

Put your hand in mine

You and me

From one world

We are family

Since visiting China and my birth city I feel a bond to the people I met there and to my friends adopted from Zhanjiang across the world.  To express my thoughts I drew two girls (one from America, one from China) holding hands; they are friends, family.  The artwork says "You and Me" with the two girls holding hands ("Put your hand in mine") and concludes the phrase "We are family" written in Mandarin.

My dad has made prints of my drawing, suitable for framing.  You may get a signed and numbered print for a donation of $12 (more if you would like), which includes mailing, that will help fund Fujiao's and my travel?  I think you will like my drawing that expresses my love for Chinese people and people of the world. And by donating you will help us visit China. A donation of any amount will be appreciated; no amount is too small.

Looking Forward

Hello. Thank you for stopping by. I set this blog up for my two daughters, Meijie and Fujiao. They are hoping to travel to their birth country, China, in November. Meijie is from Zhanjiang in Guangdong while Hannah is from Dongchuan in Yunnan.  They will be joining the Zhanjiang Kids/BLAS Zhanjiang reunion. Meijie and Fujiao will be telling you more about their itenerary and what they hope to see and learn.

Meijie and Fujiao will be raising some funds to pay for their travels, in addition to saving their allowances. Will you stop by now and then to read their posts and see how you might be able to help.

Mike