New Blog

Please be sure to check out my new blog www.poh2china2015.blogspot.com

Spring Festival 2013 - Bengbu

Here are a few photos from the Spring Festival at the Bengbu SWI from 2013.  Thanks to all those who donated to Packages of Hope to help make this possible!

A message from Smile Cao

Our trip to ChangDe was a success.  We had provided donations to the orphanage for Spring Festival, as well as met with the orphanage staff to discuss future opportunities for donations and support for the orphanage.  THANK YOU to the donors who helped to provide assistance to the children.

We finally had to say goodbye to Smile Cao, and we look forward to working with him again in the future.

As Smile Cao quoted an old Chinese proverb, "Wan Shi Ru Yi" -- "May all your wishes be fulfilled"

Local images of ChangDe

Some local images of ChangDe:

 Some images and video of the Poem wall, above.  It is a 5km long wall that contains poems from the revolutionary era (ca 1940-1950)

 An old destroyer boat, on permanent display on the river

Above, the gates to the river.  Just to the left of this photo is the river, just through these gates is the city, and walking distance to our hotel.

 A rural corner shop on the way to the old orphanage.

 Above photo shows the burm on the way to the old orphanage.  It is difficult to see here, but it rises rather high, presumably created as a defense against floods.

 A farmhouse.  Smile tells me that there are many houses like this being constructed by people who are from this area, but are elsewhere in the country and making a better living.  They then have these houses constructed either as a show of wealth, or as an  investment venture.

To me, the above photo looked a bit festive.  I asked Smile what this blowup fabric arch was for, and Smile replied, "that's a funeral".

I asked Smile what this was all about, and he said that this agency helps people to register their children when they are born. Interesting.....

Around the grounds of the current ChangDe SWI

We had a short walk around the grounds of the current ChangDe SWI.  It was a chilly January day, but the conversation was wonderful.  Thanks to the camera work of JieJie.

Above: exercise equipment for the SWI

Above: looking from the back of the SWI towards the street.  To the left of this frame is the building for children.

 The inscription at the base of the statue reads: "Care and Love - Time Flies.  In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Changde Social Welfare Instituted (CSWI), an eight meter high sculpture has been built.  It is like a strong hand holding a heart full of love, which indicates the party and the government show great care and love for the weak people.  the sculpture is red in colour which implies enthusiasm and unselfish dedication of the staff in SCWI.  The lines flowing upwards promise bright future for CSWI.  The inscription 'Care and Love' was written by Mr. Cao RuGuo, Deputy Secretary of Changde Municipal Committee. July 2010".

Above is the cafeteria of the SWI.

 The statue of the elder.  I touched the statue, and was surprised to find out it is made of some sort of fiberglass composite.  I have seen this elsewhere in China.

A view to the entrance of the children's section of the orphanage. You can see the dome above.  As you go through the gates, you go into the interior section, and the children's dormitories are on the left.

The old ChangeDe Orphanage

The old ChangDe orphanage is located at N 29 00.817 E 111 44.862.

It is now a retirement facility.  

Access to the orphanage is by a very winding dirt road atop a burm which serves as flood prevention from the nearby river.  I can understand why it was relocated due to the threat of flooding.

The Children of ChangDe SWI

When I visited the orphanage there were over 25 children present, most of whom had special needs.  There were only 3 infant/toddlers.

2 of the children that I was able to photograph are posted as waiting needs children, and I will be providing more video of those two boys, which we are identifying as Rocky and William.  We are hoping that their forever families will find them very soon.

 Rocky, above, has club foot, and a slight motor issue with his hands.  However, he is exceptionally smart, and the top of his class.  Spending some time with him, you can see it.  I will get some video up soon, and you will be able to see how awesome he is.  Very mischievous and typical 11 year old.

William, above, is loaded with dimples, and is bright and full of smiles.  He has some sort of vision issue, but I'm really not sure of the details.  He did seem to bring objects very close to his eyes to focus, but I do that when I have contacts off as well.  Video coming soon.

The children shown here have moderate to severe special needs, and were having a nice time looking over some hand drawn pictures provided by children in the Tulsa Oklahoma area.  It made their day!