By Kay Zhang
After walking over a mile along the muddy village road together with the local orphanage staff, and after passing over a very unusual hanging bridge, we arrived at the home of the third foster care family.
On the way to meet this family the local staff told us that the girl's natural parents are in prison. As a result children such as her are not eligible for adoption, but they are suitable for foster care.
She was playing with a skipping rope when we entered the house, and was about 10 years old. The foster mother told her to stop skipping and greet us. She gave us a shy smile and sat down with us at the table.
We asked about her daily life and her school. Then we asked: "How do you feel about your present mom?"
She said: "I like her."
Then we asked the reason. She was silent for a while, and then she told us: " She helped me to live with strength and confidence. When my natural parents were put in prison, some classmates didn't talk to me, and some of them even laughed at me. I felt really sad and was afraid to go to school. My new mother took me to the school, and talked to my teachers and classmates. She also said to me: 'it's your parents' fault that they had to go into prison. My child, don't bear their burden with your life.' She cooks me nice meals and lets the sister and brother in the family play games with me."
Isolation and prejudice are sometimes more horrible than disease. This village woman educated people, with her simple but great love, on how to nurture a child's heart and body. We could see that both the mother and the girl experienced a period of hard times, but now they have welcomed the glimmer and shine in life.
The most important thing is that we are together
The local orphanage staff told us Ling was 12 years old, however we could see the obvious maturity in her eyes. She was a quiet girl, only talking when being asked a question, and then answering briefly.
What happened in her family is a tragedy. Her mother killed her father because of his infidelity. Later the mother was sentenced to life imprisonment. These two little girls were sent to the local children's welfare institution. At that time one was 11, and the other was only three years old. They were eligible for adoption but Ling insisted on remaining with her younger sister. This made the arrangements complicated, and so now they live in a foster care family.
"I can bring her up myself. I can work after my middle school. The most important thing is that we are together." She said, expressing herself in more than one sentence. I remember well that we could see the determination in Ling's eyes.
The foster mother said that Ling usually took care of her sister by herself.
On the way back to the local institution, I didn't know whether I should feel sympathy or pride for the little girl. To raise her sister by herself is a big ambition or even a heavy burden for the shoulders of a twelve-year-old girl.
Some people say that those who suffer more will grow-up more quickly, but personally I wish that she can live the life of a young girl to the fullest extent. Be well, Ling.
