Ningdu Heritage Trip in 2009

The following is from my post on Yahoo's Ningdu Families that I submitted this afternoon:


This past weekend I attended the Bay Area Travel Show (as an exhibitor) and caught up with many old friends and met some new ones during the 2-day travel show. Many of my Chinese contacts were in attendance, and I had the opportunity to begin discussing with one tour operator some initial thoughts on coordinating a Ningdu Heritage Trip in 2009.

For most, the idea of traveling to China with a possible 3-day stay in Ningdu would be a dream come true. I know that it would be for our family. Our daughter will turn 5 in November, so I know that providing her with the opportunity to visit her native China and to see the area where her life began would be of tremendous value.

I would like to get an idea from this group as to the interest level for having a group tour, say 8-10 days, in China, with Ningdu being the primary focus for perhaps three days.

Here is a portion of the e-mail that I received this morning from my contact at Access China Tours:

"Yes, the show was very good and we got some solid leads. I have done a quick search on Ningdu in our China destination data base and found some very useful info and images. I will wait for your further instruction but I am very confident that we can offer a wonderful heritage experience for both the kids and the parents in Ningdu. By the way, the best time to visit Ningdu in terms of weather is from mid October to late November."

He indicated to me that sometime in 2008, he would arrange to visit Ningdu and to make preliminary arrangements with the orphanage director and others to properly welcome the group.

I'll put together a poll for this site and on Our Ningdu Kids blog to see what the interest level is for a Ningdu Heritage Trip in late 2009. Also, please reply directly to this message as there's no need to do a private reply to this post.

I think this could be very exciting, especially since this group could have both Canadian and American families traveling together. We may also find that Australian and European families might meet up with us in China for the mainland tour. I can see many new friendships developing from such a trip and a strenghtening of the bond that ties all of us together as Ningdu Families.

Please think about it; it could be a lot of fun for everyone!

Best Regards to All,
Kurt
Father to Ning Yuqing (Melani),
Class of September 2004

Happy New Year!

Best wishes to each and every one of our Ningdu families and to those awaiting referrals from Ningdu. May 2008 bring to you and yours continued good health, happiness and joy throughout the year!

Merry Christmas to All!

To everyone this holiday season, we wish you a Merry Christmas and extend best wishes for New Year that brings health, happiness and prosperity. May the blessings that have been bestowed on you and yours throughout the year be a reminder that prayers do receive answers. For some fun, enjoy this Christmas Greeting!

Ningdu 286 A.D.

One need not be a student of history to appreciate the long, rich heritage that Chinese enjoy. Ningdu is a part of that history, and a portion of the Ganzhou site shares with readers some of that history. It's interesting to note the dates to get a sense of the long history where little has seemingly changed in the rural areas:

"In the first year of Han Gaozu, the south of it belonged to Chu. After three years, it was renamed Huainan Country. It’s 202 B.C. when Gannan began to belong to Han. In the sixth year, it was named Yuzhang County and had eighteen counties, three of which belonged to Gannan, they were Nanmao County, Gan County and Yudu County which the latter two were new set. In the end of West Han, Yuzhang was renamed Jiujiang while in 25 A.D. the name returned and Nanmao was renamed Nanye. In 194 A.D., it was named Luling County. 　　

In 236 A.D., Luling County, which was belonged to Yanzhou, governed Yudu. It led Yudu, Gan county, Pingyang, Yangdu, Jieyang, Nan’an, Nanye and Gannan became the administrative institution then.

In the first year of Taikang, Jin Dynasty, Nan’an was renamed Nankang, Yangdu was renamed Ningdu. Two years later, Luling changed to Nankang and governed Yudu. In 284 A.D., Jieyang was renamed Poyang."

U.S. To Sign Hague Convention on Dec. 12: Federal Oversight of International Adoptions, Soon

Jane Gross, of the New York Times, gives us a glimpse into how policies and procedures for international adoptions will change in April 2008, once provisions of the Hague Convention go into effect.

Here is a short excerpt from,
U.S. Joins Overseas Adoption Overhaul Plan:

"parents seeking a visa for an overseas adoption must demonstrate to the State Department that a child has been properly cleared for adoption, that a local placement had been considered, and that the birth parents were counseled on their decision and have signed consent forms."

World graph attribution: New York Times, December 10, 2007

CHINA: People, Place, Culture, History - New Book Now Available for Christmas!

Just in time for Christmas, Dorlign Kindersley Limited has published an absolutely fantastic book, CHINA: People, Place, Culture, History. This large and quite hefty book has more than 350 pages of content, which includes pictures that depict China as it is, today.

While browsing Costco at lunch today, I came upon this book and, after quickly thumbing through a few pages, simply picked it up and placed it in the shopping cart. No doubt, if the Costco in San Diego County has "China," it is probably available at other stores throughout the U.S. This book would not only make a great gift for the holidays, but would be an wonderful addition to your child's China library! Costco's retail price is $22.99.

Motherbridge of Love - Xinran's newest arrival!

Once again, Xinran has brought to not only the community of adoptive families, but, to the world, her newest arrival that is a tribute to both adoptive and birth mothers. Motherbridge of Love is narrated by Amy Tan in this short clip offered by Barefoot Books.

Here's the review provided on Amazon.com:

This book shares its name with a London-based organization dedicated to promoting greater understanding of Chinese life and culture among adoptive families in the West. The text, credited to an anonymous adoptive mother, takes the form of a series of heartfelt, parallel musings about two women "who never knew each other" but who are central to a sprightly Chinese girl. "The first one gave you life; the second taught you to live it.... One found a home for you that she could not provide, the other prayed for a child; her hope was not denied." Masse (Goodnight, Sweet Pig) echoes this dreamy lyricism with gently surreal illustrations rendered in a texture like shot silk. Her treatment of the birth mother merits particular interest: on some spreads, she portrays the woman relatively realistically, carrying water in her village or gazing down at her pregnant belly. But in other spreads, the mother is transformed into a benevolent spirit; readers will notice her Asian features in the moon that shines down on the adoptive mother and child, and even in the mountain that the pair traverse during a hike or in a dramatic sky. It's a risky artistic choice, but Masse pulls it off in an understated way that offers comfort and encouragement to parents and children. A portion of the proceeds benefits Mother Bridge of Love. Ages 4-10. (Sept.)

Some may recognize the author, Xinran Xue, author of the critically acclaimed, The Good Women of China, who joins Karin Evans and others who have helped others to understand the plight of women and abandoned children in China.

Two years ago, while browsing in a used bookstore in Long Beach, California, I found and, yes, bought, a signed first edition copy of Xinran's, The Good Women of China. Interestingly, this book was first printed in Great Britain by Chatto & Windus in 2002.

An Offer Worth Considering

With the exception of adoption-related books, films and direct services, Our Ningdu Kids does not normally provide unsolicited offerings to readers of this blog. However, the "Give One Get One" program is highly innovative and one that has the potential to have an incredibly positive impact on children living in developing countries.

No word on whether donations can be given directly to an orphanage, although I have spoken with a customer service representative to request that the companion computer purchased go to the Ningdu CWI. I should know shortly whether such requests will be considered.

I also understand that this offering is for a limited time, only, and that $200 of your purchase is U.S. tax-deductible. As a family, we have made the commitment and will have one of these nifty computers for our young daughter!

From all of us at One Laptop per Child, thank you for your interest in our mission. Today marks the first day of our limited-time "Give One Get One" program.

Starting today (November 12), when you donate an XO laptop to a child in the developing world, you'll receive one for the child in your life. The price for the two laptops will be $399, $200 of which is tax-deductible. Additionally, T-Mobile is offering donors one year of complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the United States, which can be used from any Wi-Fi-capable device, including the XO laptop.

Please visit www.laptopgiving.org to participate in Give One Get One and discover more about the revolutionary XO laptop. You can also donate by calling toll-free 1-877-70-LAPTOP (1-877-705-2786). This is the only time we're making the XO laptop available to the public and quantities are limited, so early purchasers have a better chance of receiving their XO laptops by the holidays.

Once again, thank you. We sincerely hope you'll join our growing community of people working to create a connected, educated, enlightened future for the world's most essential resource - it's children.

BELLA LAUNCHES INTO NEW CITIES FOR NOVEMBER 16

"The National Council For Adoption urgently needs you, and your family members, friends, coworkers, and colleagues, to attend the award-winning pro-adoption film Bella. Films' opening two weeks determine their success, and Bella's pro-adoption message deserves a phenomenal opening." (Quoted from the National Council For Adoptions)

Bella was the Winner at this year's Toronoto Film Festival as Best Film, People's Choice! It's now showing with a location near you!

Presidential Proclamation for 2007 National Adoption Month

During National Adoption Month, we recognize the adoptive and foster families who have shared their homes and hearts with children in need, and we encourage more Americans to consider adopting young people of all ages.

Families who adopt show the generous spirit of our Nation. Every child desires a permanent home, and when parents adopt a child to love as their own, lives are forever changed. For parents, the decision to adopt a child is among life's greatest and happiest turning points. On November 17, families across the country will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions, and each one of these homes will be richer for the addition of new family members.

My Administration is committed to promoting adoption of children of all ages. We are working to bring together more children with loving, adoptive parents through the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids at adoptuskids.org and by providing States with financial assistance through the Adoption Incentives Program. The Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program helps improve care and services to children and families and ensure more young people in America have a caring, secure, and permanent home. Together, these efforts are building a brighter future for our youth.

During National Adoption Month, we honor adoptive and foster parents as they raise children of conviction and character. By accepting the gift of these children, parents are helping shape lives and contributing to the strength of our great Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2007 as National Adoption Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH