Job Discussion Forums

[Kell]

Hi all, first time poster long time lurker.

My wife and I are considering leaving balmy Canada for life in China in a year. We were there for two weeks in a group to pick up our adopted daughter so the culture shock won't be the 100% it would be for most but we know that staying in a hotel with a group and guide is still nothing. I'd say about 85% culture shock.

Question 1: Our daughter will be three years old when we go and she's Chinese. Do you think we'd face more or less stigmatism from the locals?

Question 2: We'd really like to work in an orphanage and I know of a few that are run by foreigners. Does anyone have any experience with that? Can you suggest a foreign run orphanage or a website by the same?

If you're in Ontario, we're close to London and we'd love to see your pictures and hear your stories.

[Roger]

You are the first guy to say there are foreign-run orphanages in China! As far as I know they are all under state-control, and the state is not likely to give up its control over them any time soon.
IT has turned out to be too good business for them anyway, but before that it was a jealously guarded dirty secret that so many young Chinese have no parents, so they were rounded up and often left to die in an "orphanage".

I hope Marion is going to check out this thread.

[burnsie]

There is a poster here on the forum named Rhonda's Place who has had alot to do with orphanages in China. From what I have read from her posts here on the forum a few months ago outlined that foreigners are not allowed to do too much (unless you have government approval) with orphanages. But you might have better information than I.

I hope Rhonda does not mind my saying this but give her a private message. You should be able to search her posts here.

Also there can be reverse discrimination here in China with kids and students but seeing that she is 3 years old it should not matter as the kids won't know. If they are old, well, that's a different matter. She will probably have more discrimination from adults.

[Norman Bethune]

[oprah]

If Marion or Rhonda's Place do not respond, I do recall she said good bye to us all, as she was leaving for vacation.. even though email is everywhere..

[randyj]

Kell, Chinese people love children, white or yellow, so I doubt your adopted daughter will face any stigmatism. She should quickly acquire the local language, so you have an opportunity for her to become co-ordinate bi-lingual. I think most Chinese people will admire you for adopting her, as do I. Concerning orphanages, the government remains quite sensitive on this subject. I encountered one foreign-supported, though probably nominally run by the government, in Shenyang in 2000. I will pm you if I can find details.

[amandabarrick]

Kell,
randyj is correct, your daughter will not face any stigmatism because of her age. She should learn the language as she grows up. My cousin who is Chinese adopted a baby girl from China and is now living in China with his daughter and wife. They are doing fine and love living in China. As far as foreign run orphanages I have never heard or seen one, the only contact in my experience that foreigners have with orphanages is on a volunteer basis.
Hope this helps,
AB

[Guest]

Hi

Please PM me, I can put you in touch with an American couple who run an Orphanage in Henan Province. They have around 45 children there - but none of them are handicapped. They are only permitted to have "normal" children in their Orphanage. I have no idea why.

They are a very nice middle aged couple and I have sent them clothing form time to time when my kids have had too much.

[Kell]

Thanks all for responding. The orphanage I'm thinking of specifically is the Philip Hayden Foundation. www.philiphayden.org They have an operation in Langfang and are building another in Tianjin. They deal mostly with children with special needs and provide care, operations, fostering and adoption services.