By Kay Zhang
I have been part of the Care for Children team for nearly 3 years in China. This job enriches my life experience not only as an employee but also as a person. It is the work to touch the mighty and the tiny, the strength and fragility of human lives.
During the project visits, some children let me smile and be fulfilled. Some parents caused me to come to tears by their humble but simple words. Meeting the children is like a journey; it teaches me, touches me and drives me.
Xiao Hua
Xiaohua is a girl we put into foster-care in our project site in Guiyang. In 2007, the foster-care project was chosen to be a main project for promotion by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. As a coordinator, I traveled with CCTV2 (China Central Television 2) for the footage shooting.
During the three-day trip, we got to know each other well. I came to know her happiness, her wishes as well as her little quarrels and friendships with her classmates. The following week she came to Beijing with her foster parents. She told me she wanted to see Tiananmen Square. Then we went there together. The photo keeps the memory alive.
Xiaohua was very happy and excited about this trip. She asked me many questions about Beijing. She was amazed by the grand buildings. She ran all around on Tiananmen Square. I felt so happy for her. However, in a moment I thought: we can make only one of Xiaohua's wish to Tiananmen Square come true, while there are lots of Xiahuas like her staying in a place, like I knew her before. They must have their special wishes, how can we make them realized?
On the way back to my office, Xiahua said to me, "Auntie Zhang, I am really happy. Do you think I can live in this city like you do when I grow up?" I was speechless for a moment. Then I told her, "You can, if you like. But even you don't live in Beijing, as long as you are happy it's good enough."
Little girls always have big dreams, no matter if those dreams come true or not. I used to have dreams. As long as you have a place called home, with love and warmth, the world belongs to you. I think Xiao Hua will understand this when she is my age.
In that windy February, we walked hand in hand. It made me feel warm. I think lt the same way.
The Yan'an Boy
The trip to Yan'an last summer was a very pleasant one. It was June. The foster-family had pear trees. I learned how to distinguish male pears from female pears, and got to know that the female pear tastes better. We can see the boy enjoyed his country life a lot. He ran out with his playmates, and I caught him for this photo with his cheerful and rosy face.
