July 2001

Anhui Province

The July 2001 trip was particularly trying for the families. Everything seemed to conspire against this group – of all the trips, it entailed the longest travelling time, at 19 families, it was the largest FOI group ever, and the trip occurred at the hottest time of the year. – Ed

We were a bedraggled group of travelers as we stumbled off the bus in the late evening at the Holiday Inn in Hefei, having come through Chicago/Vancouver via Tokyo, Shanghai and an 8-hour bus ride to Hefei. We were a large and diverse group of families – 19 in all, from across Canada, traveling with spouses, parents, sisters, friends and relatives. Five of the families were adopting from China for the second time, and one for the third.

The next day we met our children – 18 infants, including one boy, and 1 four year old girl from 5 orphanages. It is impossible to describe the feeling of taking your child for the first time into your arms. Such a beautiful moment. The babies reacted in very different ways – some quiet and observant, many crying and some sinking into their new parents’ shoulders for comfort.

As the morning progressed, it became clear that the orphanages within Anhui Province varied in terms of the care and stimulation that they were able to provide to the children. One child arrived very ill, and was taken immediately to the hospital. Others from this same orphanage seemed to be less alert and responsive than some of the other children. This reminded us that we had embarked upon a profoundly human adventure, where not every outcome could be controlled and where, sometimes, love and hope mingles with risk and disappointment.  

The rest of the trip passed in a blur. In Hefei, we were able to spend the first few days quietly with our children, getting to know them. Dinners out were the high points of the day. Every night we invaded excellent local restaurants – 40 adults and 19 kids – it was joyful chaos! We also visited the orphanage in Hefei to get a sense of what the orphanages are like. Within a few days, the children were settling in well with their new parents (and vice versa!)

Where Hefei was relatively calm, Beijing was all hustle and bustle. It is a bargain hunter’s paradise and our group shopped seriously. And there was so much to see – the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace –  interspersed with the requisite Embassy and medical tasks. The medical clearance of all the babies was followed by a moment of quiet, but intensely profound joy.

One of the highlights of our trip: the children traveling with us. Brennan (9) drew rave reviews for his mature disposition, (and noticed by the Chinese) his distinct blonde hair and dashing good looks. Grace (7) and Hannah (4) had experienced this voyage from the other end of the telescope a few years before. Not only were both excellent traveling companions, they filled the hearts of those adopting for the first time with an incredible sense of joy and optimism. All three children were a lot of fun to be around and a delight to all of us.

And finally, just a few words of tribute to Yulin and her incredible team. It seems trite to say “we couldn’t have done this without you”. It is much more significant to say that there is not a single person in this, the largest group Yulin has brought to China, who would have wanted to. And so, to Yulin, we offer our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation.

Perhaps a concluding note to the groups that will follow. Prepare for an amazing journey. The sense of anticipation and, as the months wore on, longing, that you have almost unconsciously become accustomed to living with will be replaced with a sense of wonder so intense that it remains difficult to describe. You will hear people in China tell you how lucky your new daughter  is. When you return home, you will hear this same refrain. Our guess is that your silent reaction will be the same as ours: we are the lucky ones!

Marta Morgan and Matthew King (parents of Alexandra)