We belong to an online chat group specifically for all the parents who adopted babies from the Social Welfare Institute (SWI) in Gaoyou, China. It's wonderful to "meet" people from all over the world who share this experience. One of the members, Charles Day, spent a lot of time researching the city and put together a beautiful picture book of Gaoyou, which most of us have purchased.
http://www.aboutgaoyou.com/
During his travels, Charles made a connection with the Vice Mayor, Ni Wencai, who used to be the director of Jemma's orphanage. Though we have never met him, Ni Wencai is a very special man and cares a great deal about the orphans from Gaoyou. He has reached out to the parents and many of us have been corresponding with him. Now, Ni Wencai is hoping to put together a book about this orphanage and the people who have adopted. He has requested many of our blog posts and photos for the book and we have been assisting him in any way we can. While it is almost impossible to locate the birth parents of our daughters, it is not improbable, and Ni Wencai may be able to assist in the process by way of his book, should any of our daughers care to pursue this. Regardless, this book will be a very special gift from a very unique and heartfelt man.
This weekend, the Gaoyou group is holding a reunion and while we are not attending this year, we plan to in the years to come. Ni Wencai has sent a special letter on behalf of this reunion and I thought I'd share it here. The translation is a little awkward, but his sentiments come through loud and clear:
Dear Parents and children of the adoption families, How are you!
I am really glad to hear that the 15 adoption families will hold a reunion party in June which is the most beautiful season. I would like to give my warm greetings and sincere regards through my mail. I wish that every family would be healthy, happy and blessed everyday.
Your reunion party is a party of love. Because of love, you had come to China, to adopt your daughters. Even though, they have lost the care of their biological parents for different reasons and circumstances. But you had come. You had become the parents that they have been waited for a long time, the parents they had seen only in their dreams. When they smiled in your arms, when they grew under your care, when they called you father and mother with tenderness, your love had lightened their lives. You are the best parents in the world. Your hearts are deep and big.
Your reunion party is a party of communication. You share common experiences, common subjects, because you all have a daughter from Gaoyou. You have taught them to understand themselves and nature. You have taught them the way to deal with the reality, and the way to distinguish love and beauty. And yes, because of love and beauty, everything will be right, be in order and be harmonious. You have let them know Gaoyou through map and picture book. During the party, the calling of all beautiful memories will build the friendship between adoption families and children.
Your reunion is a party of sweetness. A famous person said, "Nothing is sweeter than a baby." You will harvest sweet happiness after your hard work. The pure soul, the smiling face like a flower, the clear look of the children will penetrate into your thoughts and lives little by little. It is like a river of vitality that flows through your heart.
The people of your home town will share the success and happiness with you. They will watch the grouth of the children with you. They will praise the life of the children with you. We will wish the best for the children under the same blue sky!
Finally, on the behalf of Gaoyou People, I would like to welcome you to revisit Gaoyou!
Best regards,
Ni Wencai
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