Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Monday, May 4, 2009
Current needs at Bengbu Orphanage
Here is a short list of the current needs at the Bengbu Orphanage:
1. A special needs therapy area - Right now the Bengbu SWI serves as a therapeutic center for Special Needs children all over Anhui province. Director Song wouldlike to see a SN facility built at the orphanage with a lot of equipment for thechildren. This project will be in the range of several hundred thousand US dollars.
2. A car for the children - Orphanage is currently using an ambulance to get some of the older orphanage children back and forth to school. A good quality minibus to carry the children back and forth to school would be between 4000 and 5000 USD. The director thinks that this would be a much safer option for thechildren, especially the disabled children, and the children that otherwise would have their parents/family guide them through the streets.
3. Playground bouncehouse - The orphanage director would like to get a bouncehouse (an inflatable play area for children ) for the children. Cost is between 3400 to 4800 USD.
4. Electric scooters - The orphanage would like to have 2 additional scooters for the older disabled orphans, similar to those we donated last year. Cost is $450 USD each.
5. TV - The orphanage would like to have an additional TV as was donated this year. Estimated cost around 400 USD.
6. As always, the orphanage welcomes donations of fungible items such as diapers, milk powder, and clothing.
1. A special needs therapy area - Right now the Bengbu SWI serves as a therapeutic center for Special Needs children all over Anhui province. Director Song wouldlike to see a SN facility built at the orphanage with a lot of equipment for thechildren. This project will be in the range of several hundred thousand US dollars.
2. A car for the children - Orphanage is currently using an ambulance to get some of the older orphanage children back and forth to school. A good quality minibus to carry the children back and forth to school would be between 4000 and 5000 USD. The director thinks that this would be a much safer option for thechildren, especially the disabled children, and the children that otherwise would have their parents/family guide them through the streets.
3. Playground bouncehouse - The orphanage director would like to get a bouncehouse (an inflatable play area for children ) for the children. Cost is between 3400 to 4800 USD.
4. Electric scooters - The orphanage would like to have 2 additional scooters for the older disabled orphans, similar to those we donated last year. Cost is $450 USD each.
5. TV - The orphanage would like to have an additional TV as was donated this year. Estimated cost around 400 USD.
6. As always, the orphanage welcomes donations of fungible items such as diapers, milk powder, and clothing.
Nannies viewing letters from families
I visited the orphanage again on the 7th of April, and during this time, Ms. Wan invited the nannies to come into Director Song's office and have a look at the photos and letters I presented to them from the happy families who are blessed to have children from Bengbu orphanage. I was very humbled by the fact that Director Song offered his office in which to invite the nannies. While I was videotaping the event, Director Song played instrumental music in the background. I think he understood what I was doing, and I think it was his way of communicating to the families. The choice of songs brought tears to my eyes. There was a rendition of "So Lost Without You" by Air Supply, and "What Child is This"(Greensleeves). The nannies remembered every face, and sadly there were some nannies in photos that had retired and the orphanage did not know where they lived to contact them. The nannies looked intently at the photos, and even shared with me some humorous anecdotes on behaviors that they remembered. One said with a giggle and a smile, "oh my, she was so stubborn! She always wanted her way!"
Of the photos I took with me where the nannies were featured, I had the nannies sign the photos so that I could deliver them back to the families.
Director Song even took the children in his arms and played with them as the nannies looked at the photos.
The meeting was unfortunately brief, the nannies had to return to their posts to take care of the precious children in their care. I was very grateful for Ms. Wan to have them meet with me.
Above - Cherished nannies of Bengbu SWI. The love and caring they give can be seen in the smiles and the happiness of the children.
Director Song with the two beautiful girls from China. Sorry folks, they're taken, and I'm the lucky guy!! :)Visit to Dragon Lake Park
Ms. Wan and Ms. Sun then took us to a park on Dragon Lake, where we took a casual stroll among the throngs of people celebrating the public holiday of Qingming, or Tomb Sweeping Festival
Click here to see the location on Google Earth.
It was calming to walk with Ms. Wan, who asked a number of questions to me. "How many families are you in contact with?" she asked. We also spoke about the difficulty in trying to satisfy both the needs of the donors and the needs of the orphanage. Both parties have kind and passionate hearts, but there needs to be more understanding on both sides. There may be misunderstanding regarding what the orphanage really needs, or what they can actually do. On the other hand, the orphanage staff can also gain an understanding of the concerns and the desires of the donors who wish to support the orphanage. Sun Lele and I committed ourselves to serving as best we could as the link between these two groups who are forever linked.
Above - a sculpture at the park entrance.
Below - easygoing visitors to the Dragon Lake Park.
Click here to see the location on Google Earth.
It was calming to walk with Ms. Wan, who asked a number of questions to me. "How many families are you in contact with?" she asked. We also spoke about the difficulty in trying to satisfy both the needs of the donors and the needs of the orphanage. Both parties have kind and passionate hearts, but there needs to be more understanding on both sides. There may be misunderstanding regarding what the orphanage really needs, or what they can actually do. On the other hand, the orphanage staff can also gain an understanding of the concerns and the desires of the donors who wish to support the orphanage. Sun Lele and I committed ourselves to serving as best we could as the link between these two groups who are forever linked.
Above - a sculpture at the park entrance.
Below - easygoing visitors to the Dragon Lake Park.
Ms. Sun Lele and Orphanage Director Ms. Wan, our heroes!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Pear Blossoms in Bengbu
The orphanage staff took my family out for a brief visit to the beautiful spring sights of Bengbu. At this time in April, the pear blossoms are blooming. Couples who are soon to wed take advantage of the blooming flowers to take some wedding photos. Family, friends, and photographers were gathered in this area in the gentle breezes and cool temperatures to capture some of the fleeting beauty of the pear trees in bloom.
Beautiful Children of Bengbu
Lovely beautiful cherished children of Bengbu SWI. All these children appeared very healthy and well cared for. The orphanage staff was doing a fantastic job. The orphanage staff were always hugging and holding the children, and all appeared very enthusiastic about their jobs, and were very happy to care for the children. This is my 4th visit to this orphanage, and I recognized all the same staff from my first visit 4 years ago.
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