Hi All.

Hi All. We had an extremely warm and joyful welcome from the directors, nannies, and children. Again, just like Lanxi, we saw a confident and proud group, so pleased and happy to show us their accomplishments. This a HUGE difference from one year ago. It proves that if you plant the seed of knowledge, you will see the fruit of your efforts. We saw enormous changes in the faces of kids that last year had blank faces and could not walk or even talk. One girl, after a few months of Ouyang's special education and Physical Therapy, is
now able to walk, talk, and participate in arts and craft projects.
She has amazing dexterity in her fingers! We examined 25 kids. One child, with a cleft lip and palate was brought gravely to us last October as a newborn. The staff at that time was unsure if he would be able to survive. I focused my efforts last year on a talk about cleft lip and palate. This year he is a happy, repaired, well nourished one year old with a ready smile. I learned that many of the kids are finding homes in Spain, as that is the European country with the most adoptions. Also Canada and the US, of course. Most of the children with special needs go to the US, Denmark or Sweden.
2 of the nannies have been proudly promoted to "Laoshi" (teacher in Mandarin). Those two, last year, were clearly leaders and so I'm glad they are getting recognition from the director. Each time Ouyang, our special ed teacher, comes to help the children in this orphanage,(20 days per month), these two women assist her. Today we will be getting a full tour of the orphanage but I already peeked in the arts and crafts room where the children have made beautiful origami mobiles
made from recycled paper. So heartwarming. Jane Steinmetz