handsful

Not all orphanages in China are the same…some have more resources, some have less.   A lot depends on what part of the country they’re in, and how much outside support they receive.

Lainey’s orphanage was located in a very poor city and, though I think they did their best, it was lacking in many things.  At least in Lainey’s room, there was no stimulation on the walls.  There were no toys that we ever saw (we were told they were put away unless it was playtime).  And, the nannies were told to avoid making attachments to the children – they were rotated regularly to keep this from happening.  This might be the same in all orphanages, but I’m not sure.  Given the circumstances that Lainey came from, she has done amazingly well and is thriving.

After learning that Dylan was from Luoyang, CWI in Henan province, we researched as much as we could, trying to get a glimpse into what kind of care he might be receiving there.  We were thrilled to learn that the Half the Sky Foundation worked in Luoyang, to provide the children with individual attention and stimulation.  Specially trained volunteers through HTS work with the children in programs like “Baby Sisters” – working with infants to provide stimulation and early play skills, and “Little Sisters” – preschool play and activities to develop their bodies and minds.

We were told that, after Dylan’s adoption was complete and we were home from China, we could request the reports that had been written by the HTS volunteers.  We received these a few weeks later, and I was amazed at what we saw.

Forgive the picture of a picture, but…this is a baby picture of Dylan.   The reports say he is 3 months old here.  Funny thing is, our initial referral for Dylan says he was abandoned in January 08.  Which would have made him 6 months old.  ??  We weren’t completely surprised by this, because several others with children from Luoyang told us they had similar experiences with the orphanage and HTS reports conflicting.

He’s 9 months here, and it’s quite obvious it’s him.  I love seeing these, but it also makes me sad that we missed so much of his life.  We received a 6 month photo, too, but I’m not posting it.  We’re honestly not sure it’s him – maybe they mixed up the photos?  He looks much older than 6 months, the face isn’t quite the same…Oh well.

15 months.  Oh my, is he cute or what??  Are you noticing that the nanny is always the same?  I love that HTS did this, giving him someone to bond with for a long period of time.  When Dylan saw these pictures, he called her “momma”.

about 20 months.  That’s our boy.

About 2 years.  Sitting on the potty.  This is the first photo/report of him being in the HTS preschool program.  Look at the adorable baby fat on his neck.  Gracious.

The other photos look very similar to one we already had from his referral.   We also received quarterly reports, which contain precious information on his time with the HTS nanny.  She documented each “session”, what they did, what YuHai played with, and what she was focusing on that day.  Things like improving his head control when he was a baby, and teaching him the parts of his face or how to put on his shoe by himself when he was older.  We have written reports from Fall 2007 through Fall 2010.

I am extremely thankful that Dylan had this amazing head start, and the love of a Half The Sky volunteer.  I wish I could tell her thank you for all that she did for our son. We now have a deeper history to share with Dylan.

If you get a chance, check out this amazing organization and the work that they do.  www.halfthesky.org

I think I’ll go swoon over his baby pictures for a little while longer.  :)