Well today was the last day at the orphanage; I wish it wasn't because we didn't even get to be with the kids that long, but I'd take the few hours over nothing. It was kind of organized chaos since no one was on the same page.
We had a ceremony to present the gifts and check to the orphanage that was supposed to start around 10:30 so we thought we could do a quick craft with the kids but when we got to the room no one was there. We later found out that they were already in the auditorium, so we met them there and hung out with them until the ceremony began.
Then when it did we listened to the director give her thanks and then we took a picture with all of the toys and kids. With some of the money we donated, they bought a Bluray player, tablets, video camera, and a regular camera. I was a little disappointed to see that those were the "desperately" needed items they wanted and to see that the kids weren't fascinated by the new toys since they already have older versions of it.
They were still plenty thankful though, but I think the true gift was being able to call Shen Jun Peng a friend. It was a bummer that we couldn't even be with them in the classrooms on the last day and the goodbyes were so quick, but I guess it's also a plus so Shen Jun Peng wouldn't see me cry. It's so amazing how someone so small who you can't even communicate with can move your heart in such little time. I wish I could adopt him on the spot and bring him home with me - I would in a heartbeat. We made up a secret handshake while we were waiting for the ceremony to begin, so that was a nice ending activity together.
After the kids left, we toured the museum which is located in the old building for the orphanage which is now for the disabled kids. I also found out that there is another place where the really disabled kids stay at with foster families. It blows my mind how well off the orphanage actually is since I had a whole different image of the orphanage.
It was still an amazing, life changing, heart moving, experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.
After the museum it was time for lunch and we ate the best meal the orphanage had cooked us; it was noodles, broth, cucumbers, and spices. Once that was over I took a nap in the room since we didn't have any of the toys to play with on our break. When I woke up, it was time to go help out with the babies.
I said goodbye to Shen Jun Peng one more time and then headed up to my room. It wasn't with the same room as last time, so I got to meet a whole new set of kids. These weren't as talkative but they were very sweet; they just preferred to play on their own.
After that I went over to help the older kids paint. They were all natural artists who were really creative in their paintings. Once we were finished painting we went outside to play with the kids.
When it was time for them to leave I was on the lookout for Shen but for some reason I didn't see him leave. It was so sad not to be able to say goodbye again since I thought I would be able to. I waited on the bus looking out the window in hope of seeing him, but he never appeared. It breaks my heart knowing that I won't be able to see him anymore. Hopefully I'll be able to hear updates about him with the help of the employee I am going to QQ!
After that we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our last dinner in Shen Yang that the orphanage director was treating us with. After dinner we stopped at a park which is the old northern capital. It has been transformed into a night park where people just hang out and play tug of war, dance, and jump rope. After that we did some more local shopping to see the street vendors one more time. After we finished checking it out, we headed back to our hotel to pack for Beijing. It was all together a great last day but it was also the saddest.
We had a ceremony to present the gifts and check to the orphanage that was supposed to start around 10:30 so we thought we could do a quick craft with the kids but when we got to the room no one was there. We later found out that they were already in the auditorium, so we met them there and hung out with them until the ceremony began.
Then when it did we listened to the director give her thanks and then we took a picture with all of the toys and kids. With some of the money we donated, they bought a Bluray player, tablets, video camera, and a regular camera. I was a little disappointed to see that those were the "desperately" needed items they wanted and to see that the kids weren't fascinated by the new toys since they already have older versions of it.
They were still plenty thankful though, but I think the true gift was being able to call Shen Jun Peng a friend. It was a bummer that we couldn't even be with them in the classrooms on the last day and the goodbyes were so quick, but I guess it's also a plus so Shen Jun Peng wouldn't see me cry. It's so amazing how someone so small who you can't even communicate with can move your heart in such little time. I wish I could adopt him on the spot and bring him home with me - I would in a heartbeat. We made up a secret handshake while we were waiting for the ceremony to begin, so that was a nice ending activity together.
After the kids left, we toured the museum which is located in the old building for the orphanage which is now for the disabled kids. I also found out that there is another place where the really disabled kids stay at with foster families. It blows my mind how well off the orphanage actually is since I had a whole different image of the orphanage.
It was still an amazing, life changing, heart moving, experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.
After the museum it was time for lunch and we ate the best meal the orphanage had cooked us; it was noodles, broth, cucumbers, and spices. Once that was over I took a nap in the room since we didn't have any of the toys to play with on our break. When I woke up, it was time to go help out with the babies.
I said goodbye to Shen Jun Peng one more time and then headed up to my room. It wasn't with the same room as last time, so I got to meet a whole new set of kids. These weren't as talkative but they were very sweet; they just preferred to play on their own.
After that I went over to help the older kids paint. They were all natural artists who were really creative in their paintings. Once we were finished painting we went outside to play with the kids.
When it was time for them to leave I was on the lookout for Shen but for some reason I didn't see him leave. It was so sad not to be able to say goodbye again since I thought I would be able to. I waited on the bus looking out the window in hope of seeing him, but he never appeared. It breaks my heart knowing that I won't be able to see him anymore. Hopefully I'll be able to hear updates about him with the help of the employee I am going to QQ!
After that we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our last dinner in Shen Yang that the orphanage director was treating us with. After dinner we stopped at a park which is the old northern capital. It has been transformed into a night park where people just hang out and play tug of war, dance, and jump rope. After that we did some more local shopping to see the street vendors one more time. After we finished checking it out, we headed back to our hotel to pack for Beijing. It was all together a great last day but it was also the saddest.
Hug!
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