Beijing :: Orphanage

I’ve been back for a week but still have a few more days of China to blog! One of the days I was most looking forward to was the day we would visit the orphanage. I’ve been to orphanages in 5 different countries and one thing they have all had in common is that the kids do not have much but they are generally happy. I’ve been fortunate to visit well run orphanages where the kids are truly loved and cared for. In China, families are only allowed one child. They can have abortions up to 8 months and if the child is not healthy, they will more than likely not keep them. For one reason or another these very sweet children were given up but they are truly lucky to be in a place were they receive so much love!

Thanks to Bobby for having this as part of Raddest Photo Trip Ever (RPTE) trips! It adds so much to the experience!

This little one was such a sweetie! Later she went through all the pictures I had taken and knew how to use all the buttons on my camera! Smart girl!

If I could have taken one child home, it would have been this little boy. For most of the time, he was sitting in the corner talking to his bear but then he found Hannah and it was like he woke up! He was laughing, smiling and interacting. Such a sweet innocence in this boy.

All of the boys loved Hank! He even played basketball with them… indoors, without a hoop. =)

Loved him too! Such a cutie enjoying the ice cream we brought.

The little girl on the left liked to bite the ice cream and then look at it in her mouth. When she was looking at the photos in my camera and saw these, she laughed. =) Katie on the right loving on this adorable little one.

This is my favorite shot and one of my favorite little girls. It took her awhile to warm up to me but once she did, we had so much fun!

The kids enjoyed hearing Bobby play the piano.

I’m pretty sure this little boy wants to be Bobby when he grows up!

Stephen bonded with this boy! He loved seeing all the pictures and being tickled!

Hannah helping her practice english and playing games.

My Chinese BFF. =)

Hank being a big strong guy! The boy on the right had a sticker left over from a VBS they had earlier in the week.

Hannah took this one of me. Love it!

When we said goodbye the kids weren’t sad that we were leaving… just happy that we came!