Superkids Love Pendant

 

Lisa Cohn, adoptive mom and studio jewelry designer, decided to apply her creative talents towards helping orphans after she and her husband adopted their daughter Lulu from China in 2004. Lisa couldn't forget the precious faces that she saw in China when they left to bring home their daughter, and after learning about Superkids Charity, she found a way to help the kids that were left behind and waiting to be adopted.

Lisa designed a unique Love Pendant that features the Chinese character for love.  After learning about Superkids' work in South America, she also created a special Mayan pendant.  The proceeds from these pendants go towards supporting the work that Superkids volunteers are doing in Asia and South America.

 

Lisa's lovingly handcrafted pieces are a beautiful way to support the work of Superkids and benefit children with medical needs whose biggest need is to have a family to call their own. You can learn more about the pendants here.

I'm Home

Well, I'm home and missing China already!

I got home late afternoon.  I am up for 2 hours and then want a nap.  I am still in china mode.  Thinking about the kids, dreaming about them as well. - saw the sweetest kiddos!!!!

Going out into the villages in JiangXi really gave me perspective.  In Shanghai I am used to more medical models.  The children are really managed medically with all China has to offer.  In JiangXi the children were cared for.  For the children with Cerebral Palsy, they would tell me, please find them parents because we want better for them than we can do here.  There are no sitting or positioning devices for those who cannot sit.  Chairs and positioning equipment is in short supply.  In one of the orphanages they did not put the children down enough.  They held them too much.  I know, that's weird right.  They were used to being held but not moving. They could not move from position to position.  Like lying down to sitting up.  Put place them on their feet and they could walk.  I did encourage some tummy time but think if I am not there, they will be afraid to try.

The caregiver ratio was pretty good.  Average seemed to be four to five children to a caregiver.  Really hard to be sure as it was a first impression.  All loving and kind.  Still all well bonded to caregivers.  I talked with the foster family to a baby and the grandma held the child all the time.  She would not cook for the husband or rest of the family if she thought the baby needed holding.

I am still processing all I saw.  Will share more stories soon.

Peace, Pat

Just as a Point of Interest Folks

I thought everyone might like to know what i have been eating and enjoying in China

I have been to China many times and have never been asked to eat anything unusual.  Until this trip.  Here is the list.  We ate most of the more unusual food in JiangXi.

Stinky Tofu-  a very smelly bean curd.  it is fried and served with a spicy pepper paste like sauce.  This was in Shanghai and i liked it very much.

A lot of the food in JiangXi was very spicy.  I do like spicy food, so no problem. 

Jellyfish-  tasted fine.  like those clear noodles in texture.  served in a sauce with vinegar and vegetables.  Tasted good.  I liked it.  if no one told me i would have thought it was those thick clear rice noodles.  They say Americans do not usually like it so i must not be American.

Frogs -  fried with veggies.  I skipped this one.  I do not eat anything i met in the bio lab.

Lots of duck -  not my favorite but we had duck skin in pancakes with sauce, scallions and cucumbers. quite good.

chicken claws.  they were deep fried and i passed on those too. 

Loads of fish and chicken with bones.  I reminded everyone i was working and not used to eating around bones and they did not want me to choke right?

i really have loved my time in China.  The kids are always in my heart.  Always great to be here and i miss it when i go home.  Think of all these children i saw this trip.  I like to be here but am missing my family too.   

I may blog tonight or not.  I have slowly been working through updates to Gladney families.  Love to all those special families who have opened their hearts to children.

Peace,

Pat

Sweet Update

I finally feel well rested!  I can remember so many little moments from this trip. Helping the girl with Spina Bifida with her walker. Helping a baby get her hands down on the surface and on her tummy. A caregiver who took a baby who was crying from me and kind of gave me a lecture about making her cry. There were so many little moments in this trip.

This is my favorite:  - about a little boy who i first saw in November who was quite motorically delayed, really needed alot of help with developmental activities - he is now walking! Thanks to the caregiver i told you about before. I am lucky to be in contact with this amazing boy's amazing adoptive mom. She will be comming to get him soon. I think she travels in July. How i got connected with his momm is a funny story. She was sent my name by someone here who knew i had seen him. She is a speech therapist on the other side of the world. Here is his picture. This is a good lesson for us. - with proper therapy they catch up.  So many happy endings. I had this Mom's pic and showed his caregiver. She immediately took the phone and began explaing to the boy that was his MaMa.  Makes me cry with joy even now.

Peace,



Pat

Can't Say Enough Good Things About Gongzhan

 

Gongzhan Wu is VP and managing director of the Asia Program.  He is truly an amazing man.  I want everyone to know that what I (we, Superkids )do for the children would not be possible without him.  He is an amazing individual.  I often tell him he should write a book.  His accomplishments are not important in this post but what he does for the children is.  Behind the scenes, he works with CCCWA, the Chinese government, provincial officials and orphanage leaders and directors.  Without his contacts we would not be able to get to the places we have been, or help the kids in the way we do.  I ask him to try to support the rehab staff to work more with the orphans, it happens.  I as for time to provide medical screening for children who are not with Gladney, it happens.  I have a baby that needs something special, it happens.  I tell orphanage staff that I will be skyping with Mr. Wu and they sit up and listen with more openness.  That is just the administrative side. 

 

 

 

He loves the children and will fight to get what is right for any child.  He is also the pied piper for the little ones.  90 % of the pictures you will see from this trip are taken by him.  He is playing soccer with the boys - asking the hard questions, how do you feel about being adopted?  Often at these moments i see him place his hand on their arm, an arm around their shoulders etc.  Creating a connection with them so they feel more comfortable.  This connection with children is not only concern for children in the orphanage.  Yesterday at the airport, a three year old came over and sat down next to him.  Started up a conversation.  This happens everywhere, even with the older kids. 

 

I have developed a great relationship with Gongzhan.  I treat him as the older brother i never had.  Enjoy teasing him and giving him a sass.  I affectionately call any trip to Asia, Gongzhan boot camp.  

 

All kidding aside, I am privileged to work with him,but the luckiest ones are the kids because he is in their corner and has their back.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a little catching up

 

Remember the assistant director at one of the orphanages i told you about. Well Gongzhan and i worked on the photos this AM. here is her photo so you can all share in how i felt when meeting her. Here we are together and here she is working.

 

 

 

Today we met Nanchung Mary after breakfast. She took us to the Pavillion in Nanchung on our way to the airport. We took the elevator to the top and walked down. We also saw a performance that included dancing, singing and bell ringing. The pavillion is a lesson to us all as it has been destroyed and rebuilt something like 29 times. Maybe symbolic as these children we advocate for have to rebuild their lives. As the Pavillion got newer, It got bigger and more grand. As our children get older, life gets more complex and the scope gets bigger. I loved the pavillion today and i love Nanchung. I will send a pic or two.Last but not least. Here are Gongzhan and I again in another airport.

 

Now off to Beijing. 

 

 

Fountain Show

Thanks guys for all your support.  Love the kiddos.  That is why i am here.  To be a volunteer and be able to make a difference is the most rewarding even thing.  Like day before yesterday.  The support of adoptive parents makes it all worth it on the other side as well.  Its wonderful to be able to hug and love these kids

 Pat and Mary

I had a treat last night.  Mary, who is a notable guide in Nanchung had dinner with us.  She is terrific.  She actually motivated the weary travelers to go to a fountain show on the river here in Nanchung.  Her English is excellent and she is just one of those people who it is comfortable to talk to.  We will see her this am.  She will take us for a quick ride and tour around the city as we head off to the airport.  everyone is so Proud to show us the sights in Nanchung.  The hotel last night was great.  I am also sending a pic of the fountain show.

A Sweet Story

Hi readers thanks for commenting.  Yes all of the files are designated to Gladney.  I have seen children with mild needs to serious needs and yes there will be more on the girl with Spina Bifida.  This trip i have seen approximately 30 in JiangXi  and 8 in Shanghai.  We will be posting more about these children on Gladneys Asia waiting child web page.  I appreciate everyone who is praying for me and for these children.  They need your prayers and forever families to love them.  Lets pray for that too.

 

Pat 

Today we went to an orphanage in Ying Gan.  Very sweet people.  Here is the story of the assistant director of Ying Gan.  

Ying Gan is 49 years old and was an orphan herself.  She was at the Ying Gan orphanage.  She was in foster care until she was school age the she was returned to the orphanage.  Heartbreaking.  She grew up the rest of her childhood in the orphanage.  She worked herself up there.  She is now assistant director in charge of the daily running of the orphanage, accounting etc.  She is married and her son is now 27 and is a teacher.  Doesn't this just make you love this place.  She is very open about being an orphan.  She was pleased we found her story inspiring.  Today when i was at the orphanage seeing children there was a 20 year old boy who lives at the orphanage and helps with the children.  He was great and they all followed him everywhere.    I wonder where he will go.  I find this exceptional.  The commitment to see their kids do well.  Will post more pics tomorrow.  

Pat

These are pictures from yesterday