The Copper Capitol
So called by China, the Rough Guide, this forty year old city boasts a nuclear power plant and is the spearhead of an effort to save river dolphins. Tongling (tong means copper) is also entered by one of the roughest toll roads ever, - we paid to ride on this? Wu An An, Director of Social Welfare for the Amity Foundation, our driver, my husband Mark, daughter Celena, age 8, and I did bump along on it indeed.
On June 29 we were met and warmly welcomed as we entered the toll gate to the city by Ms. He, Deputy Director of Tongling’s spanking new Social Welfare Institute (SWI), and by Mr. Lee, the head of Civil Affairs. They led us through town to the orphanage where the entourage increased. A TV news team had heard that an Amity representative would be in town visiting the SWI, and had come to shoot a spot for the nightly news!
We were greeted with watermelon in the reception room, and bottles of water, for which we were very grateful. We also meet Han Jia Xiang, head of the “welfare yard” and Dr. Wu. They gave us a tour of the facility, built in 1997 from international adoption donations, city and national government funds, and other sources, which houses an orphanage, a home for old people, and rehabilitation center. It is quite impressive as it wanders up the hill.
A girl in a red-checked dress with an ever-smiling face catches my eye. Xue Mei, age 12 and in her second year of middle school, now catches our hands. Through Amity, FCC pays her school fees. In addition, she can now see in class because she visited Nanjing for an eye exam and had glasses prescribed, also from funds provided by FCC for Amity.
A young man in a blue shirt is also introduced to us. Sun Pu, age 16, signs us his thanks for attending a class for the deaf, and hands us a note in very neat characters. Where would he be without school fees given by FCC?
We see baby chairs and air conditioner purchased by Amity (as the plaque so proclaims) with funds provided by FCC. We also see cribs made of wood and in need of repair, many holding two babies each. New cribs are needed.
As are more caregivers. Children are being fed two at a time- are there ever enough hands to go around? Amity Grandmas introduced at FCC’s request and supported with stipends we provide, are also caring for babies and young children, but they can only fill in some of the gap. We are also extremely pleased to see the staff who received training in rehabilitation doing exercises with young children. One girl with hydrocephalus could not move her head before starting therapy. Now she can. The caregivers are working with children on mats on the floor and obviously enjoy their time with the children.
FOSTER CARE
Tongling has started a new foster care program under Amity and supported through FCC’s sponsorship. Foster care is less expensive than institutional care and so very much better for the children. However, the SWI receives only half of the money necessary from the government. FCC sponsorships make up the difference. The children who benefit from the foster care program in Tongling are over the age of two, many with physical handicaps.
A boy who brings joy.
We had the opportunity to visit one family in Tongling. Tong Qi (born March 1998) has been with his foster family since August of 1999. He had his first cleft palate surgery last October and will have another surgery this year. He lives with his foster parents, grandma, and 10-year-old sister in a fifth floor walk-up. We met Mom and Grandma. His Dad works in the orphanage office, and mother is home, as the factory where she taught kindergarten closed.
They have seen a huge change in him since last year, they say, and he has obviously brought incredible joy to the family. Tong Qi was very shy with so many guests especially since he had just woken up. When plied with treats from the orphanage staff he warily played with Celena, passing treats back and forth but not moving from the welcome side of his mother.
After the family visit, we returned to the orphanage and were given a copper horse, symbol of Tongling. People are exceedingly kind and hospitable and we were so glad that we went.
It was wonderful to see all that has been accomplished through FCC’s partnership with Amity, but much more is needed. New cribs, more grandmas, expanded foster care, continued support for surgeries and school fees, an intensive nursing team, training for orphanage caregivers...
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