The Orphanage in Youxian
John back again. I spent a long day travelling to where Mia was left to be found by us and some of the pictures are here for you to see. Yoxian is a small city of about 75,000 people. Getting there we passed many little towns, incredibly run down and simple. There is some beauty there in all of the chaos and madness, much like Mia I suppose. Lush green lands, between the towns and tree lined roads in places. You could see the hills growing larger in the distance as we approached Youxian as if things got better the further one went.
The contrast between manpowered carts and motorized vehicles was somewhat regular yet the environment no longer semed as poor and dirty as when we started out from Changsha. At the time I thought that there must be something successful happening around that little county, but I did not know what. Later I learned that the area is quite rich in natural resources such as coal and iron which may explain the building and activity around.
Before being taken to Mia's finding place we are greeted by the Director of the orphanage nearby and some of his staff and asked to sit down to a lunch of traditional Youxian food. They are very pleased that we have made the journey to come see them and the orphanage. The lunch is fantastic and a nice break from the 3 hour bumpy ride on poor roads. We have many spicy dishes of mini fish, pork, beef, bean curd and of course, local beer to wash it all down!
Mia was left at the gates of an orphanage in this place that I refer to as the middle of nowhere in south central china. She, and all the children, I believe had mothers who cared for them deeply but yet unable to keep them and thus left them to be found and to find a better life. It is heartwrenching to think of a culture and circumstance that drives mothers to give up their loved ones although given everything you witness here, you can't help but think that those mothers believed there would be a better life for their daughters elsewhere. Having spent time with a number of families in our boat, our 5 lost daughters of China have truly been found.
Youxian orphanage is still full with little girls. We have uploaded a couple pictures of the "Stich Twins" for their new family to see. Brenda and her husband are on their way soon to Youxian and you will be happy to hear your daughters are beautiful, healthy and well cared for.
The contrast between manpowered carts and motorized vehicles was somewhat regular yet the environment no longer semed as poor and dirty as when we started out from Changsha. At the time I thought that there must be something successful happening around that little county, but I did not know what. Later I learned that the area is quite rich in natural resources such as coal and iron which may explain the building and activity around.
Before being taken to Mia's finding place we are greeted by the Director of the orphanage nearby and some of his staff and asked to sit down to a lunch of traditional Youxian food. They are very pleased that we have made the journey to come see them and the orphanage. The lunch is fantastic and a nice break from the 3 hour bumpy ride on poor roads. We have many spicy dishes of mini fish, pork, beef, bean curd and of course, local beer to wash it all down!
Mia was left at the gates of an orphanage in this place that I refer to as the middle of nowhere in south central china. She, and all the children, I believe had mothers who cared for them deeply but yet unable to keep them and thus left them to be found and to find a better life. It is heartwrenching to think of a culture and circumstance that drives mothers to give up their loved ones although given everything you witness here, you can't help but think that those mothers believed there would be a better life for their daughters elsewhere. Having spent time with a number of families in our boat, our 5 lost daughters of China have truly been found.
Youxian orphanage is still full with little girls. We have uploaded a couple pictures of the "Stich Twins" for their new family to see. Brenda and her husband are on their way soon to Youxian and you will be happy to hear your daughters are beautiful, healthy and well cared for.
posted by andbabymakesfive @ 7:06 am
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