She picked out her outfit and we switched hair bows at least 3 times. She wanted badly to impress her friends...I think so that they would know that she was going to be ok. We later found out that her close friends were much older. We did not see many other children around her age. I think that they have all been adopted and she was one of the last girls her age to leave... sad.
Lily has bad motion sickness and felt ill on the 40 minute ride to the orphanage. When we got there though she perked up quickly. She showed us the playground and we took pictures around the campus. The orphanage staff took us up to the infant area since they do not allow the children returning to visit to go back to their living area. They were able to give us a few more pictures of Lily when she was Lily and everyone seemed to LOVE Lily. The staff seemed wonderful and very caring. There were many nannies taking care of the babies. I have heard that Lily's orphanage was one of the best in China.
After a few minutes, Lily led us to the school she has attended for a few years. It is a local school that many children attend in the area. The walk to school was interesting to say the least and sometimes even dangerous. I could not fathom my child walking that long path 4 times a day. (they eat back at the orphanage). It was hard to witness the degree of poverty that our daughter witnessed each and every day on the way to school.
Once back at the SWI, we waited for her friends to arrive for lunch. The orphanage made a special exception for Lily to see her friends again since that is usually forbidden. When they arrived, Lily gave them all of the gifts she had purchased for them. It was so sweet but was good closure for Lily.
There was one girl who looked around 15 or 16 that stole our hearts. She also happens to be Lily's best friend and I think has looked after Lily over the years. She is blind but can speak perfect English. She had the most amazing personality and could truly light up a room! She went on and on about how handsome Andrew and David were and wondering if they had special girls in their lives. (remember she is blind) After 5 minutes of talking with her it was so sad to see that she truly could be an amazing girl if given the opportunity... an opportunity of any kind. She is so determined and living at the orphanage for the rest of her life it not something she would ever be willing to accept as her fate.
So now, Mark is on a quest to see what can be done to help her. A fund for schooling, exchange program, medical treatment or opportunity in the US, anything to give this girl a chance. A chance at the life she strives for despite her obvious handicap especially since she is not eligible to be adopted....ever. She is too old.
After a group photo and goodbyes, Lily took Sydney's hand and off the went. No turning back.
Once back at the hotel, it was off to the pool. No getting around that one. Lily LOVES to swim and has already told our guide that she can swim now since she learned yesterday. (1 hour of swim lessons = confident swimmer). So we are going to have to be very careful at home. She keeps taking off her floaties and trying to jump in without them. She is a very stubborn and determined little girl...reminds me of someone else... It is a huge battle to get her out of the pool. I think she has waited for so long to swim that she wants to stay in as long as she can in case she does not get the opportunity again. She will stay in the water despite the freezing temperature and fatigue.
Well, tomorrow we will go to the Chongqing Zoo and see all the beautiful pandas!
1 comment:
I could almost feel Lily´s emotion and excitement about going to that place for the last time, I think she dreamt about a family for very long, I can´t imagine a better family to her than yours.
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