|
|
|
|
|
| Pictures at the Fuling orphanage |
|
|
This is it...we are walking down the alley to Renée's orphanage. It is the building with all the flags.
|
|
Picture of Tina and Renée walking down the alley. We are both very nervous - this is very surreal...going to the place were your daughter lived for the first year of her life. The Fuling boy is watching us, as did many others. We were the side show of the day.
|
|
A home across the street from the orphanage. It might not be much, but look at the location!
|
|
We made it to the gate...time to turn back?!?!
The sign on the left is "obviously" for the senior citizen home which is also in this complex. The sign on the right is for our orphanage.
|
|
Walking through the gate felt quite odd. This is it. This is where she lived.
|
|
Tina, Zachary and Renée pose in the courtyard. Have not yet found the translation of the characters on the building...just wait.
|
|
Though not allowed in the courtyard, the Fulingers watched us from behind the gate even after we disappeared inside the building. This is a typical response that we saw in all of China. In addition, they liked to rub Zachary's hair. Unlike other blond kids in our group, it did not seem to greatly bother Zachary (just a couple times did he show concern). Most people got close but did not touch Zachary. Next time, we'll put some shoe polish in his hair...
|
|
Social Welfare Institute's Vice Director Chen. We think he was the one who handed Renée to Tina two days back. He does not speak English.
|
|
Chen poses with Tina and Renée. This is a very special picture for Tina. For Renée, she would prefer a snack that another child is receiving.
|
|
Plans for the new orphanage and senior center.
|
|
Sketches for the buildings for the new facility.
|
|
Just to the right of the main building is the blue gateway and the entrance to the three-story orphanage wing.
|
|
Tina and Renée standing in front of the orphanage sign. Here Renée is quite happy. She is probably watching Zachary, Tucker and Kendyl playing (pics below). We were curious as to how Renée would respond, if at all, to these surroundings. She really could care less. She just cares about the here and now...that curiosity no longer exists.
|
|
Tina and Renée standing at the gateway. Tina's facial expressions pretty accurately portray our emotions...one of shock and amazement (with a few others thrown in) as we take everything in. At the end of this walkway are stairs to go to the upper floors for the little children and a door on the left and right. Renée was in the room on the left.
|
|
At the end of the walkway, there is this hall. This is a famous Fuling hall, were all the photos are taken with the babies in their walkers. When we were there, all babies were in bed, save one. Renée's door was the big door on the right at the end of the hall. The door at the end of the hall is a back door to the sleeping room but is blocked by cribs.
|
|
Tina and Renée walking down the blue hall towards Renée's room. In the mirror in the background, you can see the paparazzi.
|
|
Sign in the blue hallway.
|
|
Chinese text (we think about the orphanage's policies) across from Renée's door.
|
|
The sign above Renée's door.
|
|
Come one and all...Get your class-C walker ticket...
After entering the door, to the right is the walker parking lot. Since the babies were waking up, they were probably well used after we left.
|
|
Zachary checks out the cleaning room. It looks like a little kitchen, minus the stove and refrigerator.
|
|
Wow! This tastes great. I'll have seconds.
The sink was full of their little booties, waiting to be cleaned.
|
|
The baby's rooms are to the left. This is a picture with Tina and Renée with Tucker being held by his dad Jeff and next to his grandpa Allen. Allen is right next to Renée's crib.
|
|
Hey!!! You are in my spot!
Renée just happened to look down at her old crib.
|
|
| Another view of Renée's crib. When we came to the orphanage, we had many questions, but few seemed answered. The reason was that for the last 6 months, Renée was in foster care and was not at the orphanage. Her first 6 months were at the orphanage, then ~6 months at the foster care, and she returned to the orphanage a week before Gottcha Day. We think this was her crib for just this one week. About the only clues we were able to glean was the name of her foster parent. As this paper is currently buried in our suitcases somewhere, will post it later. Since we will never meet her, at least we will be able to give Renée a name when she gets older.
We found out that two of the children in our group were in foster care and the rest spent their whole time at the orphanage. This helped the parents explain why Renée and Praisah (the only one who can walk) seemed further along developmentally and more outgoing. Although each day that progresses, we see a lot of improvement with all the children. It is amazing the power of time, attention and love.
|
|
All the parents looking at all the babies in their cribs. Everyone is trying to find their child's crib.
|
|
Tina and Renée pose in front of the famous bear, which was used as a background in her referral pictures.
|
|
Caregivers at work.
|
|
While this was exciting for Zachary initially, eventually he needed kid time. Here he is playing in the courtyard.
|
|
Zachary playing with Tucker and Kendyl. Let's burn some energy before lunch and the 2-hour ride back to the hotel.
|
|
Zachary playing next to some children. We think they are the caregiver's children and not orphans.
|
|
Some more children there watch Zachary, Tucker and Kendyl playing.
|
|
Inside the courtyard...
|
|
The back side of the orphanage gate.
|
|
This is another special picture...
This is were we were told that Renée was found - at the base of this gate. We were told that some parents will travel to orphanages, like the one in Fuling, as they know there is a good chance that an American or European will adopt them.
|
|
This picture is incredible...
As we were leaving the orphanage, a woman started yelling at us in Chinese and ran towards us. We wondered what we had done wrong. She ran straight to Renée and almost crying, she loved on her. There was some kind of attachment. She was saying goodbye and had a hard time letting go. We have no idea who she is, but our best guess is that she was Renée's caregiver. The rest of our group watched this event. Then she waved goodbye and drifted back, but kept waving.
|
|
This whole experience culminating with the caregiver and her finding spot was just too much for Tina.
|
|
One parting picture of the orphanage. Bye-bye.
|
|
|
