Orphanage visit

After a more traditional Chinese only breakfast at the hotel, we were off in our bus to the orphanage. It did not take too long to ge there. We passed a procession of people in yellow with banners and followed by more people waving a dragon "float/kite" apparently celebrating the opening of a new store. Very pretty.
We turned up a narrow lane with vendors lining the side and then turned left in through the SWI gates. Right away we could see older people lining up at a table to receive some sort of shots and then ahead a beautiful lake with the building Claire had spent her first year in the background. I recognized it from pictures. The bus parked, Claire led the way to another building where the director waited.
Director Jiang is the new director. He was assistant to the deputy director at the time we adopted Claire and has been at the SWI for 22 years. We were led into a board room where watermelon, bananas and bottled water awaited. We took our seats and the orphanage director welcomed us and congratulated us on such beautiful strong girls, welcoming them back to Shaoyang. Kelly, Chloe's mom, responded in kind, thanking him for the care they gave the girls during their first year. Then we were welcomed to ask questions. We let the girls take the lead here. We had discussed with them individually what questions they would like to ask and we let them know this was about them. They asked their questions, which I will not share here but try to imagine questions 6 year olds might ask, and the director very patiently answered them.
He then presented each girl with the gift of a jade pendant on a red string, wishing them long life and happiness.
Personnel then brought in the boxes of formula and diapers we had donated through our tour company, OCDF, and the children opened the boxes. Then it was time to see the baby rooms. We headed out to the other building to the third floor . We saw babies, many with unrepaired cleft lips/palates, and several non special needs babies. We were able , with the help of the dirctor, to find two babies whose moms had requested I get pictures of them. I was able to take those pictures and later send them to those excited waiting families.
Next we found the two ayis or nannies who cared for Claire, Chloe and Jaden as babies. They remembered them and pointed out where their cribs had been. This was incredibly meaningful to the girls.
Then down to the second floor where the Half the Sky rooms are (www.Halfthesky.com) We met three older waiting children there. Again I was able to take pictures and tell them their families were coming soon. Our kids brought them dress up clothes and arts supplies.
I am respecting the director's requests not to publish any pictures of children inside the orphanage.
After taking pictures by the little outdoor table and chairs, we were invited to a local restaurant for lunch by the dirctor. We had a lovely lunch and even got a chance to see a local couple celebrating their wedding. The director came to the bus to say good bye and told us we would be welcome back any time.
The girls truly felt welcomed back to Shaoyang and the SWI. It was a better visit then I could have hoped for. Pictures in next post.