Orphanage Visit

Several days ago we went to visit Lillian's orphanage in Southern China. It was a 3 1/2 hour bus ride one way, but totally worth the long ride. Lillian comes from a very poor orphanage. There are actually four orphanages in this small town of 500,000 people in an area the size of West Wichita...lots of people and not a lot of space. Her town is 30 minutes from the China Sea so the main income for families is fishing. We ate at a local restaurant, where we quickly became celebrates and had our pictures taken often. The food was awesome! I'm not even sure what I was eating, but sometimes it's better not to ask.

Below are a few pictures of Lily with a some of her nannies. The nannies work in three shifts throughout the day so my guess is there are about 6 nannies that rotate throughout the day two at a time. Their salaries are paid by the government.

Jackson in front of the orphanage

Lily with the Assistant Director and our wonderful guide Kelly

Lily with the Director of the Orphanage. The Director told our guide that they run their orphanage strictly off of government money, but are trying to find a corporate sponsor or foundation to help them out and make much needed improvements. They have applied for Half Sky Moon grants, but we're turned down because the orphanage was too small. They know they could do better with early childhood intervention, but lack knowledge and funds.

This is one of Lillian's nannies. She came right up to me as soon as we walked in and snatched Lily up. I could tell she really carried about Lily and wanted one more snuggle.

This is the orphanage accountant

Another nanny that wanted one more snuggle from Lily. She is also holding another waiting child. She was abandoned when she was one year old. She was very sweet. I hope this photo finds her waiting parents someday. Notice Lily's bow went from the side of her head to the front...that's where the nannies thought I should put it. Haha! The nannies also thought Lily was a good match for our family because Lily and I look alike. Hmmm

After leaving the orphanage, we went to Lily's finding spot...the place her mother left her. She was found at the entrance to an upper end neighborhood at the west gate. The neighborhood is called Star Garden.

Kelly, our guide, said our daughter has a strong Cantonese look about her and thinks her mother is probably a local girl from another part of town. Her mother probably left her at this gate because it was a safe neighborhood and there is a grocery store and street market right next door so there would be heavy foot traffic early in the morning so someone would find her right away.

Street market next to Star Garden.

I have to say, I was a little worried that Lillian would fuss when we left the orphanage and would want to stay, but outside a few nanny snuggles, she preferred me to hold her while at the orphanage. And as we left to get on the bus...she never looked back.