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