Qingyuan Social Welfare Institute Visit

So we went to the Qingyuan City SWI today. It took a little over an hour by car. We took pictures of the outside of the building, which is very large and actually a series of buildings and courtyards. Although it is a rainy day today you can tell it's a bright and good facility. They escorted us into a conference room and the two male directors spoke to us about the orphanage (that it was built in 1998, there are over 90 staff, there are plans to move into a new facility (I got pictures of those buildings as well), just stuff like that. They offered us fruit and tea. Then the head caretaker lady (didn't get her name) came in and tried to answer our questions (frankly, I wish I could have gotten more detailed information). But the real gem was that a half dozen or so nannies came down and boy did Joni's face light up! She was obviously loved by the staff and had a very special bond with one of the "half the sky" grannies who just got her to smile and laugh and do rhyming and motion games. It was really neat to see Joni in this mood and see her at her most happy. I almost would have been convinced that she was better off with them except for the fact no matter who had her she strained to look for me and came back to me very easily. No tears after our goodbyes. We got a lot of great photos and videos of her with the caretakers. They kept saying how "lovely" and "smart" she is, we couldn't agree more.


Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to go into any other rooms or see any other children. They gave the excuse that the kids were all napping and they didn't want to pass germs.  I was really hoping to meet some of her friends and see were she lived her first year of life.  So although the trip has some disappointments, there were enough highlights to make it worth the time and money. 

I wasn't as emotional as I thought I might be.  Maybe it was because I didn't get to see the faces of those children left behind.  Maybe it was because of the inner joy it brought me to see that Joni preferred going with us.  The most emotional I felt was seeing Joni's sweet face when her special "grandma" came out and played with her.  I was so grateful that she was loved by someone.  I also thought about how hard it must be for these caretakers to invest their efforts and love onto each child and see them leave, knowing they won't remember them or anything about their native land.  It's a job that requires a lot of sacrifice to do well.

All in all I got more smiles, giggles, and snuggles from Joni today.  Scott is making slow progress but still has a good attitude.  Secretly I am glad to have this time with her when I don't have to share her (or myself) with anyone.