Travel Approval (TA) On It's Way?

(I thought this photo would be fitting for this post since we are so close to this step. You can see Rick's thumb print in the red ink and our friend Nadine's putting her thumb print on the adoption papers. We are required to "sign" our adoption paper work in China with a red thumb print as well as sign some. This photo was taken on April 27th, 2008 during Simone's adoption.)

This morning I received an email from my Logged In Yahoo Group and one family received their Travel Approval last night around 6:15 pm. THEY HAVE THE SAME LOA/LOC (LOA/Letter of Confirmation, same thing) day as us, May 1st!!!

I emailed our adoption agency this morning knowing they are out of the office anyways for the holiday weekend and praying that they get my email at home and email me back!!?? If the TA's came yesterday it is possible that ours is there because I was told that the translator was out of the office for the day and we would not know yet or it is possible that they came while everyone left for the holiday weekend....

I was also told that they did hear back from China on Thursday night that China said they expedite Waiting Children already. So that means that our TA would not be rushed. They were going to try again on Monday evening but I am hoping there is no need for that :O)

Only time will tell. Usually the TA's come in groups so we hope ours is there too and things with the earthquake have not delayed ours just because Sophie lives in Chengdu?!!?

Only time will tell.....But we are working like crazy to finish cleaning this house and get things ready!!

I need to get on that treadmill and run five miles so I can calm down....

Thanks everyone for your prayers!

10th Email Update from Half the Sky

"Dear Friends,

Today we were starting the process of wrapping up the major portion of our orphanage relief efforts. With your help, we have purchased and delivered or are in the process of delivering huge amounts of medicines and medical supplies, tents, cribs, cots, bedding, baby formula, diapers, kids clothing and shoes, rice, noodles, cooking oil, water, powdered milk, bowls, cups, towels, mosquito repellent and much, much more. As we finalized plans to ship, then bring in engineers to erect two giant tents to house hundreds of newly orphaned children, we got an emergency call from Aba Civil Affairs Bureau.

They are caring for approximately 1,000 orphaned and displaced children, most of whom are 7-12 years old. There are over 100 infants. They’d been placing the children in local shelters but had just received news that 70 more children are on the way. There are no more tents and no more beds for them. Further, they urgently need powdered milk and diapers. And they need foods that don’t require cooking as most of their cooking stove sand supplies have been destroyed. They need so much they can’t even give us an estimate.

The roads to Aba are dangerous but the need is tremendous. We have obtained the necessary road pass and organized a convoy of three trucks. Our senior preschool field supervisor, Yang Lei, will be leading the effort along with Aba drivers who are familiar with the dangers. It’s a 3 day round-trip and they leave at dawn. I am so thankful our Half the Sky staff are as tough as they are!

Stop presses! -- Just as I finished writing the above, I received the following email.

The situation continues to be ever-changing:

“While everyone has done an absolutely incredible job pulling this urgent shipment together, it simply cannot leave tomorrow morning as we've all been pushing for. The road between Chengdu and Aba is simply too dangerous to travel, based on all the information we are able to gather. While it hasn't registered on the news, nearly 200 people have died in the last few days along these roads due to mudslides caused by the early summer rains. Communications are, of course, sketchy, and we know Yang Lei has her permit to travel the roads, but all reports are now that it's just too dangerous and too unsure to risk take such a risk. The Director of the Aba Institution agrees and the Director of the Chengdu Institution agrees.

“The efforts you've all put in today on behalf of the babies at Aba will not be in vain. We will monitor the road situation very, very closely. Civil Affairs wants us to get in, we want to go in, and the moment we feel it is safe, we will go in. The good news is we've managed to amasse verything on Aba's "needs list" in one day and it's staged at Chengdu SWI and ready to load on trucks. The items that were scheduled to load on the Aba trucks will stay at Chengdu, ready to travel to Aba when conditions allow. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE IN THE COMING DAYS, THEY ARE TO BE KEPT TOGETHER, AND SEPARATE FROM ALL OTHER INVENTORY, AND WILL TRAVEL TO ABA AS SOON AS CONDITIONS ALLOW. This is a very difficult decision for us to make, but we simply can't risk life to savel ife.”

You can see that the relief effort is not quite over. I will keep you all posted.

Meanwhile, we have spent almost exactly the amount we have raised in donations (just over US $300,000. And we have not yet really begun the second critical phase of our operation in Sichuan: training caregivers and volunteers to care for and address the non-material needs of displaced and newly-orphaned children. There are billions being donated for rebuilding. But we need help putting young lives back together.

Here’s a note from Ma Lang, who was at a “model” relief shelter to day talking to newly-orphaned children: I talked to a junior high school girl. Here is part of our conversation:

Lang: Do you know there are psychologists and counselors there to help people?

Girl: Yes.Lang: Would you be willing to talk to a psychologist?

Girl: Yes.Lang: What would you like to talk about with the psychologist?

Girl: Things that make me happy. Like happy stories and movies.

Lang: What do not you want the psychologist to ask?

Girl: [pause] Do not ask me where my families are!

P.S. There is little coordination among the 10 plus counselor groups at the shelter. One main method they chose their “clients” was to look forsad faces. If a child or adult looked sad, the like lihood was that she would be “counseled” by more than one group of counselors. One concern that I had was that the children (and adults) might be traumatized again by the “counseling” process.And then….“

I met Lei in the “inner circle” at Jiuzhou Stadium. He was a cute and curious second grader who’d lost his parents in the quake. He approached me and asked me what I was doing when I was organizing the pictures I took. We looked at the pictures together, and chatted a little bit. He told me that after the earthquake, there come after shocks, and then comes the epidemic. He said epidemic means you die if you do not wash hands before and after meal. When I asked him what earthquake is, he said if you talk loud, earthquake happens. I lowered my voice and asked him if our voices were loud. He said, I do not know.”

Half the Sky is finalizing plans to work in consultation with an important international resource for children traumatized by crisis. I want to thank all of you who have worked to help us locate Mandarin-speaking childt rauma specialists. I think we are assembling an outstanding team. I will share more details in the next few days. What I hope I can communicate to you all is that our work is really just beginning. We need more help!

with love, JennyJenny Bowen"
Executive Director Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org

More Photos from Half the Sky

We are so blessed with these photos from Half the Sky!!

I can not say over and over again what a blessing they are to the world and our family. For us to see where Sophie is living at the moment is priceless. Thank you Half the Sky!

I can't stop looking at these photos and wonder, pray, dream of our little girl. We will be there soon Sophie and we love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We pray for Sophie, her Ayi's, the children and everyone in the Sichuan province.

Explanation of Chengdu Institutes

Here is an email I received today in reguards to the last Half the Sky update from my agency. I was confused about so many Chengdu Institutes and this helps us understand:

"Hello Michele,

There is only one Chengdu Children Welfare Institute in the city of Chengdu. The other two mentioned in the email are referring to Chengdu 1st Social Welfare Institute and Chengdu 2nd Social Welfare Institute where usually mostly elderly are residing in.

Hope it helps!"

9th Half the Sky Email Update

"Dear Friends,

Our work in Sichuan is in full swing now and it’s becoming harder to find time to write. Yet I know how deeply concerned you are about thec hildren, so will continue to grab all the moments I can to tell you what we've learned.

Since earthquake statistics are so readily available now, I will no longer include them.

You will see below that there are preparations being made in many institutions to receive newly orphaned and displaced children. There have been numerous media reports about the thousands of new orphans; we have received dozens of adoption inquiries here at Half the Sky (which has no involvement in adoption!)

I really want to stress that many, many of these children you're hearing about will be reunited with family – if not parents, then living relatives. In rural China, especially, workers often leave their children with grandparents so that they can support their families by working in more prosperous areas. Many of the children do have parents – parents who are desperately trying to find their children. The government is keenly aware of this and, while there are many, many media reports of adoption programs and applications submitted for domestic adoption of the children, we don’t believe that any adoption procedures will be put into place before every means has been exhausted to find parents or other living relatives.

We, along with Ministry officials, are meeting with the provincial Civil Affairs Bureau on Monday and may have more information about the plans for transitional care of orphaned and displaced children. We are exploring how we can, working with other NGOs, best help care for the children in the interim and assist the government in its efforts to provide for their future.

Here is the current situation:

Chengdu CWI has been notified to prepare to receive 100 children; they expect that more may follow. At the same time, the orphanage has moved the children out-of-doors out of concern for safety. (photos on ourwebsite http://www.halfthesky.org/work/earthquake08.php) Half the Sky is working with local government and erecting a giant tent that can serve as shelter for orphaned and displaced children for as long as necessary. More news on this early next week.

Chengdu 2nd SWI - 35 senior citizens and 10 preschool-age orphans have been transferred there from Dujiangyan City. 40~50 more orphans will be arriving soon. They are in need of 50 beds, sets of bedding, as well as the same number of clothes for children between 5 and 7 years old. Before the arrival of those 45, the institution had 100+ children and 500+ elderly people already. During aftershocks, they stayed in tents; but now, they have all moved back to the buildings.

Chengdu 3rd SWI – Caring for 30 children, all fine, not expecting new arrivals.

Wenjiang District SWI, Chengdu – Caring for only 4 children, all fine, not expecting new arrivals

Dujiangyan SWI – All of the children are under good care and there is no shortage of food or any daily necessity. 12 new children were recently brought in, but they’ve been having much success in locating surviving family members and have high hopes for these children as well.

Luojiang County SWI, Deyang City – The children are being cared for in a shelter, including 6 new arrivals. They are expecting a 2 year-old and have asked for a crib as well as diapers, powdered milk and rice.

Deyang SWI – Has prepared to receive new children per instructions.

Nanchong 2nd SWI – They are caring for 27 children and are expecting another 20. They are sleeping in tents due to concerns about after shocks. They ask for 10 tents, tarps and beds.

Cangxi SWI, Guangyuan City – They have some building damage. They have been advised that they may be receiving children from Qingchuan but this has not yet been confirmed by the provincial Civil Affairs Bureau. I told you that 13 of the 24 children brought to the Zitong SWI had been reunited with family. Today I was told there were 12. Two signs hang at the institution. One says “There are only 20 children from Xiao Ba Primary School in An'Xian in our institution. There are no children from Beichuan. If you are looking for those from Beichuan, please go to (name) Hotel. If you are looking to adopt, please come in 3 months." The other, poignantly says, "Yan: only her mother was home; XianLin & LiGang are brothers: only their father was home: Cheng: her father is working in Xinjiang; Dan: her parents are working in Zhejiang; Jun: about 2 yearsold, parents where abouts unknown; Zhou: about 1 year old, parents whereabouts unknown. Needs: Books to read; stable place to live. Emotional needs: their family...their relatives."

Mianyang – The Jiuzhou Stadium that houses 20,000 refugees is now, considering the situation, well-organized and, beyond trash bags and disposable gloves, there seem to be no un met material needs. While there were, at first, about 1,700 children staying in the “inner circle” of the stadium (on the first floor inside the building), most of those children have either been reunited with family or transferred to smaller shelters in Mianyang. There are only about 130 children remaining. There arev olunteer counselors and psychologists for these children. The “innercircle” is strictly guarded by police, soldiers, and volunteers. Mr.Liang JianHua, a volunteer leader and veteran, has been supervising care of the children in the “inner circle” from the very beginning, with the help of about a dozen volunteers. According to Ma Lang, he seems to be anextremely competent, kind, and devoted person.

Meanwhile, for children less well-served, Half the Sky is moving goods like crazy and working hard to initiate the next, and most important phase of our efforts – trauma counseling and care for displaced and orphaned children.

Thanks to help from dozens of volunteers, we’ve delivered about 100 of the promised tents, cases of blankets, tarps, clothes, diapers, food and medicines to several institutions. There will be many more arrivals and deliveries over the coming days. We have received permits to enter and provide aid to one of the more inaccesible hard-hit areas tomorrow (Aba County) and are working on helping in Li and Mao counties, also hard-hit.

We have begun the process of distributing to temporary children’s shelters. We give special thanks to the Sichuan employees of Silk Road Telecommunications, many of whom helped us load and unload trucks and have offered to aid in distribution and logistics all around the province.

I’ve got lots more to report but have run out of steam and time. I’ll be back tomorrow with more, I promise.

with love, JennyJenny Bowen"

Requested for TA to Come Faster?

(I took this photo while we were in China with Simone around April 28th, 2005. It is a porcelain piece from Nanchung.)

We requested yesterday that our adoption agency ask the CCAA if we could have our Travel Approval (TA) come sooner due to every thing that is going on in Chengdu and with Sophie's Orphanage. Here is the email that we got back about it today.

"Hi Michele,

We understand your concerns and we see how much you worry about your child in China. I have discussed your concern with our China Program Director __________, but he is very doubtful that the CCAA will expedite the issuance of the your travel notice due to this reason. The entire China including the CCAA is in the midst of adjusting themselves to the disaster and we believe that they will do whatever they can to protect the children and to ensure the normal processing of international adoption.

Sincerely,_______"

We are grateful that our adoption agency is asking them for us even though they are telling us that it most likely will not happen. We appreciate them so much for honoring our request.

We just feel like if we don't ask we could look back and wish we did. I know that they are all doing their best to take care of the children. I do not denied them that. It is just when I read that they are might be staying in tents, there is a milk, diapers, formula, blanket and possible water shortage it just makes us want to bring her home asap.

Well see what happens.....Tomorrow will be two weeks into our TA wait. Unfortunately we had to wait a couple of extra days for two families to turn in their paper work. We understand that things happen it is just hard when you have to rely on other people. Our agency does wait for the whole group and then sends in the paper work for the TA. So our TA count down started around May 7th, 2008. Every day counts.

We should know in a couple of days what the CCAA says about our request. If they do not do it then we should get our TA around June 5th, Beccas Birthday!! Can't say we are not trying!

Praying and trying to do every thing possible on our end to bring Sophie home soon.

Eighth Half the Sky Update

Dear Friends,

As I delay writing this report a bit longer each day, I realize that, like so many, I find it harder and harder to read or write those grim statistics or tell the sad stories. We wish we could be done with this death and disaster and start to move on. But still the numbers come.

There are 34,073 people confirmed dead, 245,108 injured, still more than 35,000 still missing.

Yesterday, after those three silent minutes in Sichuan, people began to call out, "Rebuild! Rebuild!" Today, when I was feeling I couldn't open another casualty report, I read instead a report about new babies born during and right after the quake. They have names like 'Li Zhen'(Earthquake) and 'Born in a Tent' and 'Long March.' They, like all the survivors, will carry these terrible days with them always. But their lives are just beginning. For them and for all of the children who survived, Sichuan will begin to rebuild.

As hope of finding more survivors fades, we find hope in each bit of good news -

During the past week we managed to reach every single orphanage in the hardest-hit areas but one - Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. Today we finally made contact. They said, "The institution buildings are no longer safe to live in. All the children live in tents. The government provides us with enough food and water and daily necessities. Now we only worry how and when we can possibly rebuild."

Of the 24 children (all of whom were from hard-hit Anxian County) who we reported were brought to Mianyang Zitong SWI because they were newly orphaned, I am very happy to tell you that 13 of them were reunited with relatives.

The children of Suining SWI have now been able to move back into their orphanage building.

More displaced children are arriving daily at shelters in Chengdu, but no one is giving up on finding living relatives yet. Yesterday, 70 children were brought to a large hospital in Chengdu for urgent treatment. Some ofthem had joyful reunions with family, but of course, not all. One very young girl signed her own consent form to have surgery on her broken arm. Ma Lang wrote, "She was a sweet and tough girl, and the doctors, nurses,and volunteers loved her very much."

Ma Lang and two other HTS staff are now in Mianyang and we expect more news from them soon. Meanwhile, our relief operation is going into full swing, with tents, tarps, medicines, beds, blankets, rice, diapers, food, clothing and baby formula moving in and out of the Chengdu CWI for immediate delivery to distressed areas.

As we get closer to realizing our small part of meeting the basic challenges of shelter and emergency supplies, it is time to embark ont hemost critical project for the long term - helping the children heal andgoon with life. This is, of course, why Half the Sky exists and how our organization can best help Sichuan's children rebuild. Now we will begin the process of training caregivers, foster parents, shelter workers and volunteers of all backgrounds to work with newly orphaned and displaced children. We believe our long experience working with children orphaned by AIDS and other children who were not infants when they lost their parents has given us a solid foundation for this work. But this week we are recruiting a team of pediatric psychologists, trauma specialsts and social workers tohelp us adjust our training methods to this special circumstance. (If youare, or know of, a Mandarin-speaking professional working in this field who would like to volunteer for this project, please let me know!)

Within two weeks, Half the Sky's entire staff of field supervisors will be working with caregivers and new foster parents all around Sichuan. Ourwork is just beginning. Thank you so much for making it possible!

More news soon.... If you would like to donate to Half the Sky's Children's Earthquake Fundyou can do so through Global Giving:http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.html Or directly to Half the Sky. You can donate by calling Half the Sky(+1-510-525-3377) or on our website:http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children's+Earthquake+Fund Many companies have announced they will match employee gifts forearthquake relief. Please check to see if your company will double yourgift! If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate athttp://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248 If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at+852-2520-5266 or online athttps://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947

Thank you again. It's truly an honor to be a part of this.

with love, Jenny Jenny BowenExecutive
Director Half the Sky
Foundationwww.halfthesky.org

Chinese Visa Arrived

We received our Passports back this afternoon with our Chinese Visa's in them!!

What a blessing to have such a big step completed, especially with all of the changing requirements.

Seventh Email Update from Half the Sky

"Dear Friends,

It's Monday afternoon here in China. As I write this, the entire country just held 3 minutes of silence to commence a 3 day period of national mourning. It began at 2:28 pm, marking the very moment the massive quake struck in Wenchuan County, Sichuan. Flags flew at half-staff, the people wore white flowers and, heads bowed, held hands. Across the country, horn sand sirens wailed in grief.

There are 32,477 people confirmed dead, more than 35,000 still missing.

Sadly and predictably, we are getting more information about children newly orphaned. We are now bringing together people and resources to prepare and train caregivers to help children through the next difficult phase of recovery. Unlike emergency relief (not our specialty but we're learning fast!), this is an area where HTS does have great expertise to offer. We will give all we can to these children who have many hard days ahead oft hem. I will be sharing our plans as they evolve.

Meanwhile, we continue to focus our attention on the most urgent needs of affected children - children in institutions and children orphaned or displaced by the disaster.

What follows is our most recent news. I've posted a few photos on ourwebsite:

http://halfthesky.org/work/earthquake08.php

and will update as morearrive.

Ziyang Social Welfare Institution - Building sustained severe damage. They care for 48 children, 20 of them under four years-old. They request 50 cribs and cots, bandages, 10 milk pots, children's clothes, 100 sets of bedding, bowls, spoons, chopsticks, toys and stationary supplies.

Deyang and Nanchong Social Welfare Institutions both have received notification that they should prepare immediately to receive newly orphaned children. All the children are living in tents. HTS will provide additional tents, beds and other requested items.

Guangyuan SWI - The children remain in tents. They were notified that they will be receiving several newly orphaned children (perhaps 50-60) very soon.

Shifang saw many of its schools destroyed, hundreds of children and their teachers buried. They sent us this heartbreaking story during the rescueefforts at Hongbai Primary School:

"'We found him!' Teacher Zhang Huibing's body was finally discovered, frozenin a posture of pushing against the door frame. According to the students saved by him, when the earthquake happened, Teacher Zhang was on the platform of the classroom on the second floor, which was very near the door. He yelled to the students, 'Run outside! Hurry!' And he somehow held the door frame up with both arms as the children ran out, one by one.

Just as all the students were safely evacuated, the building collapsed on him. Teacher Zhang, who was only 30 years-old, had a four-year-old child of his own."

As I mentioned in my last note, Mianyang has become a major refugee center. Of the more than 20,000 refugees in the city's Jiuzhou Stadium, "scores" ofthem are young children. We are told, but this is not confirmed, that the entire center area of the stadium is reserved for toddlers and infants. Most are said to be from Dujiangyang, Beichuan and Mianzhu. Ma Lang is onher way to Mianyang now, so we will learn more soon.

Many children who have lost or become separated from their families are being brought to Chengdu, but not yet to the Chengdu Children's Welfare Institution. Some have been taken to the Sichuan Children's Center (anafter-school and weekend activity center for children.)

About 30 children, from Yingxiu and Dujiangyang, were taken a Chengdu city park, the Qingyang Sports Center, which has been converted to a refugee camp. Some children have been united with family members. We're told that some from the media are actively trying to reunite families. Most of thechildren in this camp who survived were in their teens. They told us tha tmany younger children in their town did not survive because those in the primary schools and kindergartens were napping when the quake hit and couldnot run.

The youngest camp resident was 16 days-old. The military police made aspecial effort to bring her and her very young mother down to the camp fromYingxiu. The baby was only 11 days-old when her daddy perished in the earthquake.

Perhaps today's most heartbreaking story was about some of the 70 injured children who'd been carried down from the affected areas to Huaxi Hospital. Most of the children were reunited with parents or relatives; some were even well enough to leave the hospital after treatment. But a few children remained alone and unclaimed.

They were required to sign their own consent forms so that the doctors could amputate their limbs to save their lives.

Half the Sky spent much of the weekend purchasing requested supplies and shelter, organizing distribution and continuing to assess needs. In addition to the much-needed and wonderfully generous monetary donations fromour amazing community of supporters, we have been flooded with offers of in-country help from from volunteers.

As you can imagine, many requested items are getting harder and harder to come by. Just today we doubled our refugee tent order to 200 - all that was available immediately - and already have requests for more. Shoppers in Chengdu have begun filling a no-longer-habitable room at the Chengdu CWI (Children's Welfare Institution) with everyday goods destined for hard-hitareas. Others around China are working on fulfilling our giant shopping list. Some are flying in to Chengdu, hand-carrying items from our medical wish-list. Our wonderful friends at Gung-Ho Films, a Beijing-based film production services company, are offering logistics support, including shopping, shipping and door-to-tent delivery!

I can't really express how moved we are by your generosity and your trust in Half the Sky to ensure that the children benefit from your gifts. Today 3 more HTS Beijing staffers and 2 Gung-Ho staff traveled to Chengdu to help facilitate our relief efforts. We all feel privileged to be able to help.

If you would like to donate to Half the Sky's Children's Earthquake Fund, it would be great if you would do so at Global Giving as (even though they take 10% for processing and we do not (100% to the kids but at cost to our programs) it allows HTS staff to focus on relief efforts while keeping ourprograms going.http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.htmlIf you prefer to donate directly to Half the Sky, of course that's fine.Here are the various ways: You can donate by calling Half the Sky (+1 510525 3377) or on our website: http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children's+Earthquake+FundMany companies have announced they will match employee gifts for earthquakerelief. Please check to see if your company will double your gift!

If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate athttp://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 25205266 or online athttps://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947Thank you so much for your kindness and concern.with love,JennyJenny BowenExecutive DirectorHalf the Sky Foundationwww.halfthesky.org <http://www.halfthesky.org/>

Package for Sophie

On Friday, May 16th, 2008 we mailed Sophie another package.

Small Tiny Cabage Patch Doll
M & M's Candy for Sophie
Two Disposable Cameras
Andes Mints for the Ayi's
One family photo (I added Sophie's photo in with ours and put the words family on it.)
Short note saying, "We love you very much and can't wait to bring you home! Love Daddy, Mommy and Big Sister."
Price of mailing a 1 pound package $45.00 via United States Post Office.
Seeing Sophie opening the package and having photos of her family and friends at the orphanage. PRICELESS

Once again we struggle to mail Sophie another package. Especially after the earthquakes when they are short on diapers, formula, milk, blankets and now in need of Tents. We wish we could just rent an airplane and fill it up with every thing they need. I almost feel bad mailing her these things as I am sure the Ayi's are so busy right now but I feel that if I don't do it for Sophie I would regret it later.

I wanted to say thank you to Jessica (Simone's teacher at the Chinese Library, when we go during vacation) for translating the sentences and short note.

I keep telling my self that God is watching over her and I pray for Sophies safety and all of the people that are in the Sichuan area.

(Simone dressed up as a Mermaid today at Preschool. She informed me that the beauty mark was "not a beauty mark, it is a Princess Mermaid Mark." Some of the boys got "pirate mustaches." That is why she has so much make up on. We appreciate her teachers so much because they are always doing extra things like this for the children! What a blessing that Sophie will get to one day go to school here too!)

Alyson and Olivia from Chengdu

(I received this email via my Chengdu Group.)

"Just wanted to let you know that we made a delivery to the Chengdu orphanage yesterday (Saturday here) of items that will be sent to the stricken orphanages. Most kids in the Chengdu orphanage were now on the 1st floor, though they all looked content. (We had a VERY brief tour.) Near the entrance we took turns holding 7 month old Ling Ling and were thoroughly entertained by Little Miss Miao Miao. If she is heading to your house, you better brace yourselves. She is a director in training and had us in stitches! We also met Tian Tian, who also seemed to be around 2. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the orphanage, but I was allowed to snap a couple of our small entertainment committee!

We did more shopping today and our plan is to deliver tomorrow. Jenny and Richard Bowen are trying to figure out how to get the items to the orphanages, since the roads are now restricted and approval is needed to travel to the stricken areas. Just FYI, the highway to the new orphanage is actually leads to Dujiangyan, one of the areas that initially was in the news, mostly because it is the closest to Chengdu, thereby the most readily accessible.

We are being reimbursed by Half the Sky, so we are putting your dollars into action!

Alyson and Olivia in Chengdu"

Sixth Email Update from Half the Sky

"Dear Friends,

It is mid-weekend now in China so we are not getting a daily call from the ministry. But I do have further information to share with you.

First, children in the institutions are all still well. We have now reached reached every affected institution, with the exception of Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture where the orphanage is said to house 52 children.

We will let you know as soon as we make contact. It turns out the Mianzhu SWI, which we’d had trouble reaching, was leveled in the quake. There was one fatality, an elderly resident. Thankfully,all of the children were in community foster care and all are fine.

As of today (Saturday) there were 28,881 people confirmed dead. There were a very small number of live rescues, but the teams have not given up hope. Cities like Mianyang have become refugee centers. 20,000 homeless who have come on foot from nearby towns are living in the local stadium; many more thousands have no place to go. 4.7 million homes have been destroyed. 169,000 people are injured.

Ma Lang tells us that although the rescue resources keeping coming in, one concern is the uneven distribution of much needed goods. “Counties and townships that have been the focus in media coverage receive more resources (sometimes more than enough); while in some other areas, there is little. In Qingchuan, people are surviving on one bottle of water and two cookies per day.

”In the schools that did not collapse (almost 7,000 were destroyed) the education bureaus are working to care for displaced children. They need tents, blankets, masks, rice, noodles, oil, flashlights, disposable underwear and antiseptic wipes. Many of those items and the items are arer equested by the welfare institutions are no longer available in Chengdu. With the funds you have donated, HTS has a team of volunteer shoppers scouring Chengdu and we have a network of staff and volunteers seeking out needed items throughout China.

Today, with your help, we purchased 100 large refugee tents to house children who are in need of shelter. We have arranged to purchase more later this week but want to be sure we can properly distribute first. Itis not easy to find goods now or to get them where they need to go. But everyone is working together to help the children.

As you have heard, this tragic event has both killed children and created orphans. A group of new orphans has been transported to Chengdu. We expect to have more information soon. Meanwhile, the orphanage in Chengdu experienced a magnitude 5.9 aftershock yesterday (there have been 23 major aftershocks ranging from 5-6.9 on theRichter Scale!) and is preparing, if necessary, to move the children completely out of what was considered to be the most solid building. They have requested tents, which we are providing immediately.

Here are answers to some of your questions, the best we can offer right now:

How can one donate goods? We do not have the means to facilitate bringing goods into the country or distributing them where they are needed. If you are in China and have access to the following items and have means to deliver them to the Chengdu airport, please contact me:

folding cots & cribs, 100 or moreblankets, 100 or more pairs of children’s shoes, 100 or more largetarpaulins, 2 cases or more of children’s antibiotics (Zithromax,Amoxycillin, Penicillin, Klarithromycin, Erythromycin, Augmentin), 2 casesor more of anti-diarrheal meds (Charcoal Tablets, Kaolin), 2 cases or moreof children’s anti-cold and cough meds (Dimetapp, Actifed, Robitussin) and/or 4 cases or more of rehydration salts/liquids (Pedialyte, Gatorade,Gastrolyte, ORS, Pocari Sweat).

Please understand, we appreciate your wish to send items but we are not a relief agency (though we’re startingto feel like one!) and we just don’t have the mechanism or means to move your goods where they will do good. The very best way to help is to donate funds.

How many children will we help? We can’t yet know. There are not yet statistics that separate affected children from adults. There are not yet statistics regarding the numbersof new orphans, numbers of affected orphans, numbers of displaced children who will eventually be reunited with their families. We will provide whenwe can.

How can one adopt newly orphaned children? It is too early to know how many orphans have been created by thedisaster. There is also much desire among the Chinese people to provide loving homes for the children who’ve lost their parents. The government’s first priority is to take care of the children’s urgent needs – to provide them with shelter, food, medical care and a nurturing environment.

Halfthe Sky is doing its best to support this process. There will then beefforts to reunite children with relatives. Eventually, if parents or relatives can’t be located, the children will be placed for adoption. Several hundred Chinese citizens have already submitted applications to the Sichuan Civil Affairs Bureau! Please give what you can to help the children who survive go on with theirlives.If you would like to donate to Half the Sky’s Children’s Earthquake Fund,it would be great if you would do so at Global Giving as (even though theytake 10% for processing and we do not (100% to the kids but at cost to our programs) it allows HTS staff to focus on relief efforts while keeping ourprograms going.

http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.htmlIf you prefer to donate directly to Half the Sky, of course that’s fine.Here are the various ways: You can donate by calling Half the Sky (+1 510525 3377) or on our website:http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children%27s%2BEarthquake%2BFund

I am told that many companies (was specifically informed about Microsoftand Citibank) will match employee gifts for earthquake relief. Pleasecheck to see if your company will double your gift!If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate athttp://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 25205266 or online athttps://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947Your donations to support relief efforts for the children have been sogenerous. It is deeply moving to see how many people care.with love,JennyJenny BowenExecutive DirectorHalf the Sky Foundationwww.halfthesky.org"

Fifth Email Update from Half the Sky

"Dear Friends,

I dearly wish I had more good news to report. The very best thing I can tell you is that we have not had a single report of injuries from the welfare institutions.

As of this morning (Friday) there were 19,509 people confirmed dead. The State Council today said there will likely be more than 50,000. Today’sgovernment report describes one terrible scene after another: thousandshomeless, thousands missing, thousands injured, thousands trapped orburied alive. Hope for survivors is dimming. There is an urgent call forbody bags to prevent the spread of disease. There have been over 4,400 aftershocks.

HTS Director, Child Development, Ma Lang has arrived in Chengdu and sends this note:

I am deeply touched by your moral and emotional support. I only slept twoof the past thirty hours. The first thing I did after landing was to donate some medicine to the Chengdu Red Cross. It was very much appreciated – exactly what was needed. They gave me a wish list forfurther donations: antibiotics for children and adults, medicine fordiarrhea, cold capsules (not instant medicines that must be mixed in water), bandages, gauze, tape, iodine, cotton swabs, herbal medicine tostop bleeding and some for pain relief. Other much-needed donations include tents, tarpaulins, warm clothes and shoes.

People in Chengdu are doing everything they can to help with the earthquake rescue. I saw all sorts of vehicles carrying things to the donation centers. I registered for blood donation and was put on the waiting list – the blood center was overloaded with donated blood and it’s difficult to transport the blood to the hardest-hit areas.

More to come… Lang Here is the confirmed information we have regarding welfare institutions:

The following institutions not mentioned in yesterday’s note suffered no serious damage: Chengdu 2nd SWI, Chengdu 3rd SWI, Ziyang SWI, Neijing CWI, Chengdu SOS children’s village, Leshan SWI, Ganzi CWI, Guang’an SWI, Suining SWIThe following report damage, but, again, no injuries.

Your generousdonations will help meet all of these requests for assistance:

Bazhon CWI – Severe damage to building; children are fine.

Meishan SWI – Cracks in buildings, have evacuated all children (50+) totents. They have adequate food, water and clothes but request 20 cribsand bedding.

Guangyuan SWI – Damaged buildings, all children have been in tents for 4-5days, often in the blazing sun. They request food, baby formula water,diapers, bedding and other daily necessities. They urgently need drugsand food supplements to protect against disease and heatstroke.

Nanchong SWI – There was substantial damage to buildings, all children(100+, more than half under 6 years-old) are living in tents. They needmore tents, disposable diapers, children’s clothing, wagons, cribs andbedding.

Deyang CWI – Dormitory for school-age children was severely damaged.Although the other buildings seem fine, pending inspection, all childrenand staff have been moved to tents. There has been constant rain and much that was pulled from the buildings has been ruined. They request bedding and children’s clothing. They still have disposable diapers left from our assistance during the winter storms but will be running out of those aswell as infant formula in the coming days.

Mianyang Zitong CWI (update) – Children have been moved back from the military base to a safe building in the institution. There is adequatefood and water but they request clothes, bedding, infant formula, diapersand medicine for colds. They are now caring for 66 children, 23 of themunder 2 years.Sadly, 24 new orphans – earthquake survivors - arrived at the institution yesterday.

We are still unable to reach these orphanages:

Abazhou CWI (52 children)and Mianzhu SWI

Please give what you can to help the children who survive go on with theirlives.If you would like to donate to Half the Sky’s Children’s Earthquake Fund, it would be great if you would do so at Global Giving.

My apologies forgiving incorrect information yesterday; the Ford Motor Company isgenerously matching EMPLOYEE gifts to Global Giving, not ALL! Still, itis an easy and convenient way to make a donation and helps HTS by handling processing of your gifts. Now maybe some other corporation would like tostep up and match ALL donations?!

URL=http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.html

If you prefer to donate directly to Half the Sky, of course that’s fine.Here are the various ways: You can donate by calling Half the Sky (+1 510525 3377) or on our website:
URL=http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children%27s%2BEarthquake%2BFund

If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate at
URL=http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248

If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 25205266 or online atURL=https://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947

Thank you for your tremendous support. Although it is heartbreaking towrite these reports, we are so honored to be in a position to help duringthis terrible time.

with love,Jenny"

Photos from Half the Sky of Sophie's Orphanage in Chengdu

"On the afternoon of Monday, May 12, 2008, a massive earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale, rocked China. The epicenter was Wenchuan County, Sichuan, northwest of Chengdu. CHENGDU CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTION - The children are all well. They all sleep on the first floor of the children's building and, for their safety, are kept outside during their waking hours."

Just look at their sweet faces! (Does the little girl on the far right, in the pink jacket with a flower on it look like Sophie?? Just don't know because she has changed so much since our last photo from around Novemeber.)

I am sure these are some of Sophie's friends!!?!

Half the Sky has posted a few photos from Sophie's Orphanage in Chengdu. These photos are from their web site.

I have searched these photos for Sophie but I don't see her....on the other hand the only photo's we have of her are from November 2008 or later.....It is hard for me to see these photos but also good at the same time. Hard to explain.

"HANZHONG COUNTY SOCIAL WELFARE INSTITUTION, SHAANXI - Cracked walls and a crumbling foundation forced the children and caregivers of this small orphanage close to the Sichuan border to take shelter in tents. All are fine."

Please click on the link below to see more where I gathered these quotes and photos from, The Half the Sky web site. We are FOREVER thankful for seeing these and learning more information.

http://halfthesky.org/work/earthquake08.php

Half The Sky Update - Fourth One

"Dear Friends,

As word comes of the hundreds, maybe thousands of children lost in the earthquake, I am finding these emails almost too painful to write. When Ithink of so many parents who have lost their only child - so many childrennewly orphaned - so many families destroyed - there are no words..

Still, I will continue to write daily with any new information that has been given to us and confirmed. Again, please do not contact us to inquire about individual institutions. We will give you all of the information we have. If you do not hear from us about a particular place, it likely is not affected. At any rate, we don't have any information beyond what I ampassing along to you.

As of now, Thursday afternoon in China, there are 14,866 people confirmeddead, 14,463 in Sichuan Province. There are 22,438 people reported missing- 21,020 of them in Deyang alone. There have been 3,300 aftershocks andthey continue.

Here is the confirmed information we have regarding children in welfareinstitutions:

Chengdu: The city continues to experience aftershocks and the institution director is afraid the water supply will be cut off again, so has requested disposable diapers. They are having trouble finding sufficient supplies of milk and formula. All children in foster care have been located and are fine. The institution has structural cracks but was built to current earthquake standards and is fundamentally solid. All the children remain onthe first floor of the children's building, mostly in the cafeteria, and, weather-permitting, outside while awake. We've posted a few photos on ourwebsite. (See above blog entry for photos.)

Chongqing and Yibin orphanages are fine - no building damage, no shortage of supplies.

The orphanages below report problems. However, please note that not a single child has been injured; all are fine:-

Zigong CWI needs bedding, powdered milk, crackers and disposable diapers-

Neijiang CWI has suffered some structural damage; one or two children's dormitories, office building and laundry room have cracked walls.-

Nanchong 2nd SWI has cracks in walls, substantial damage to the ceiling of a staff building, needs tents-

Mianyang Zitong CWI has severely damaged walls. Children have been movedto a military base. Urgent need for diapers, bedding, powdered milk and purified water

Hanzhong CWI (Shaanxi)- Quite a few water pipes burst, thewater tower had cracks. Children have been evacuated and there is need for more tents, bedding and purified water. We've posted a few photos on ourwebsite. (See photos in above entry.)

Dujiangyan SWI has evacuated all children. They have no tap water orelectricity in their temporary shelter. They urgently need food, purified water, diapers and powdered milk.

We are still unable to reach these institutions:

Deyang CWI (78 children),Abazhou CWI (52 children), Guangyuan SWI, Mianzhu SWI

One of our HTS Beijing staff, Ma Lang, is a native of Mianyang, Sichuan,close to the epicenter. HTS' Director of Child Development, Ma Lang is botha pediatrician and a child development specialist. She is on her way homeright now to make use of her skills both medically and to help children traumatized by this disaster. We are so proud of Lang and wish her safe travels. She has promised to share her journey with all of us.

So soon you'll be hearing from us both!

Usually just before June 1, China's Children's Day, Half the Sky announces aspecial appeal to help us fund new orphanage programs in the fall.

While we are committed to starting those new programs and know we will needhelp to make it happen, we just don't feel we can ask for help improvinglives while children in Sichuan are losing theirs. There must be a Children's Day Challenge this year but not at this time. Please do what you can to help children in trouble now, and remember to help the kids of HTS a little later this year.

Our hearts and prayers today are especially with the parents who have lost their children in the collapse of schools - Muyu, Xinjian, Juyuan,Liangping, and the rest.

Please give what you can to help the children who survive go on with theirlives.If you would like to donate to Half the Sky's Children's Earthquake Fund, itwould be great if you would do so at Global Giving. The Ford Motor Companyannounced today that they will match every gift!

http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.html

f you prefer to donate directly to Half the Sky, of course that's fine. Here are the various ways:

You can donate by calling Half the Sky (+1 510 525 3377) or on ourwebsite:
http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children

If you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate at

http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248

If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 25205266 or online athttps://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947

We have been so moved by your support already.

Thank you!with love,JennyJenny BowenExecutive DirectorHalf the Sky Foundationwww.halfthesky.org <http://www.halfthesky.org/>


Here is a an email from our good friends Sue and Matthew: "We are so glad Sophie is safe and you’ve got pictures to ease your mind and heart. We are praying you will travel soon.
Sue and Matthew"

Third Email from Half the Sky

"Dear friends,

I know you have been waiting eagerly for more news of how the children arefaring during the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake in Sichuan.

When something terrible like this happens, confusion is everywhere andrumors spread. All of us are so worried about the children. We are tryingto be scrupulously careful to pass along only information that we've beenable to verify.

We have now set up a procedure whereby we can get an update from theMinistry of Civil affairs each day. They are supervising all relief effortsso have the most complete and accurate information available. We also nowhave contact information for all affected welfare institutions and havebegun the process of reaching out to them directly to see if they need help.

I will write daily with any new information that has been given to us.Again, please do not contact us to inquire about individual institutions. Wewill give you all of the information we have. If you do not hear from usabout a particular place, it likely is not affected. At any rate, we don'thave any information beyond what I am passing along to you.

As of now, Wednesday afternoon in China, there are 12,012 people dead and7,841 missing in Sichuan alone, and the numbers continue to rise. 26,206people are living in temporary shelters. Only 30 children of 900 have beenrescued from the collapsed high school in Dujiangyan, Sichuan. At least 20children were buried in the collapse of a primary school in Liangping,Chongqing.

What follows are the welfare institutions closest to the epicenter:Mianyang, Zitong County, Dujiangyan, Deyang and Guanguan.

The following is a preliminary, and not necessarily complete, list ofinstitutions which are also potentially affected: Wenjiang County, Neijiang,Rongxian, Zigong, Ganzizhou, Panzhihua, Luzhou, Santai County, Leshan,Suining, Nanchong, Guang'an.

We will have a full list later today or early tomorrow. While we've heardrumors about some of the above, we won't pass on that information untilwe've made direct contact and verified. I want to stress that we've heardno reports of children in the welfare institutions being injured, only thatsome have been relocated for their safety.

An update on the Chengdu CWI: There has been some foundation damage to therehab building and some cracked walls in other buildings, which are beingcarefully inspected. The children's building is in the best shape and allchildren have been moved to the first floor but spend most of the day outside, weather permitting - or in the institution buses if there is rain. All institution staff and HTS staff are working around the clock to care forthe children and keep them safe.

In cooperation with China's Ministry of Civil Affairs, Half the Sky has setup the Children's Earthquake Fund. The Fund will provide direct aid to thethousands of children who are suffering in the wake of the earthquake andaftershocks. Donations will be used to provide emergency and long-termrelief to children affected by the disaster, including emergency shelter,food, and medical care for children orphaned or separated from theirfamilies, as well as temporary or long-term foster care or, if necessary,temporary institutional care. The ministry has guaranteed that the fundswill be used only to help the children.

You can donate to the fund by calling Half the Sky (+1 510 525 3377) or atone of two dedicated sites online:Global Giving:

http://www.globalgiving.com/pr/2100/proj2086a.html

orHalf the Sky website:
http://give.halfthesky.org/prostores/servlet/Categories?category=Children'

s+Earthquake+FundIf you would like a Canadian tax receipt, please donate at

http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s86248

If you would like a Hong Kong tax receipt, please call us at +852 25205266 or online athttps://www.paydollar.com/b2c2/eng/charity/payInfo.jsp?charityId=4947

We are juggling a lot these days - doing everything we can to help out hereas well as keeping our existing programs operating, AND opening modelcenters in 5 new provinces this year to bring everyday care to so manychildren still waiting for us to reach them. But somehow we must find a wayto do it all.This is just a devastating, heartbreaking situation. We are so moved byyour desire to help. We feel fortunate to be a conduit for so much lovingconcern.

Thank you all!with love,JennyJenny BowenExecutive DirectorHalf the Sky Foundationwww.halfthesky.org <http://www.halfthesky.org/>

Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance theprospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infantnurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for olderchildren and establish loving permanent foster care and guidance forchildren with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphanedchild has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future.Since 1998. Ten years.thousands of hugs.."

Items Needed for Sophie's Orphanage

People are asking us how can they help us or others affected by the earthquakes in China.

Half the Sky’s Children’s Earthquake Fund Click on this link to donate and help Half the Sky's Children's Earthquake Fund.

Another idea we have is to bring money with us so while in China we can purchase things that Sophie's Chengdu Orphanage Needs. (We have limited space in our luggage.) A couple of weeks ago we asked our Adoption Agency to let us know what they needed now. This of course may change due to the Earthquake and has changed since their winter needs although you see some things stay the same like the need for diapers :O)

Our plan is to go to Walmart and purchase what they need, rent a van and then deliver it to the Chengdu Orphanage. Our goal is to purchase a dryer, fans or air conditioning unit. Below is the email that we received from our Case Worker. So if you would like to make a donation for our Chengdu Orphanage Fund just let us know, you know how to get a hold of us.

"Hi Michelle, Items that the orphanage may need are driers for children’s diapers and clothing in the winter, air conditioners or fans for the baby’s room, floor mats for play rooms, bottles, cloth or disposable diapers, etc. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Linda"

Panda Preserve

Thanks to Shana I found this information about the Panda Reserve on her blog. Thanks for always sharing good information!

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press Writer Tue May 13, 4:22 PM ET
CHENGDU, China - All the pandas at the world's most famous panda preserve were reported safe late Tuesday, more than a day after China's worst earthquake in three decades closed off the remote, mountainous area.

The Wolong National Nature Reserve and panda breeding center is the only place in the world where the rare animals can be seen in such large numbers. But Chinese officials and zoo officials overseas had worried about the fate of the center's 86 pandas since Monday's devastating earthquake rattled nearby areas in central Sichuan province.

Late Tuesday, officials at Wolong used a satellite phone to contact the State Forestry Administration and report that the pandas were safe, the official Xinhua News Agency said. It said all panda cubs had been taken to safety.

Thirty-one British tourists panda-watching in Wolong and initially reported missing were safe and in the provincial capital of Chengdu Tuesday night, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

No mention was made of a group of 12 Americans in the area on a tour sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund. Kerry Zobor, U.S.-based spokeswoman for the WWF, said they have not been able to contact the WWF members.

Pandas are a national symbol for China. They are loaned to other countries as friendship offerings in what has become known as "panda politics." They are so rare and so slow to breed that any large-scale loss could have been critical to the population.

More than 60 pandas at another breeding center in Chengdu are safe, and the center reopened to tourists Tuesday morning, Xinhua said. Another eight pandas at a preserve in Ya'an, about an hour's drive west of Chengdu, were reported safe as well.

But the Wolong center is deep in the hills north of Chengdu along a winding, two-lane road that reports say was wiped out in places by the quake. Earlier phone and e-mail contact had failed.
Pandas are among the world's rarest animals. Both the Wolong and Chengdu centers are part of efforts to breed giant pandas in hopes of increasing the species' chances of survival. About 1,600 pandas live in the wild in China's mountainous west and another 180 live in captivity.

The Wolong center offers visitors the rare chance to play with young pandas, while wearing sterile gloves, booties and gowns for the pandas' safety.

It is also difficult to reach, even in the best of times. Rescue workers only reached nearby areas by foot Tuesday, a day after the quake struck.

"We are terribly concerned and we are hoping the report is true," said Suzanne Braden, director of U.S.-based Pandas International, which supports Wolong with medical equipment and supplies. "I am waiting for confirmation that someone has actually made it to Wolong."
Braden said she feared that medical supplies and other equipment needed for newborn cubs were lost in the quake and that enclosures in the reserve might have been damaged. "We certainly don't want captive pandas to get out into the wild," she said

Update About Earthquake from Our Adoption Agency

"Hi Rickey and Michele,

Bixin Huang called the Chengdu City Children’s Welfare Institute last night and was told that none of their children were injured from the earthquake. The children have been moved to a safe place and he said we don’t need to worry about their well-being. I hope this information brings some level of relief for your family.

Sincerely, Linda"

Above is the email that I received just a few minutes ago from our Case Worker at our Adoption Agency. I know we already knew this but it is nice to have two pieces of information that match.

Strong Aftershock Rocks Chengdu

This is an email that I received from renaeanne2000 who is from my Chengdu Adoption yahoo group. I this person was so nice to pass this information along to all of us and I like it because it is short and to the point.

"Strong aftershock rocks Chengdu
From www.Chinadaily.comStrong aftershock rocks Chengdu(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-13 15:39

CHENGDU - A strong aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, around 3:10 pm Tuesday.

The epicenter of Tuesday's quake was again in Wenchuan County, said Yin Zhaomin, an official with the China Seismological Bureau.

This was the strongest aftershock after the devastating quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, hit Wenchuan County, 159 km northwest of Chengdu on Monday afternoon.

Office workers in downtown Chengdu took to the streets again after the quake. Many said they felt clearly the buildings were rocking and bottles toppled.

Experts with the China Earthquake Networks Center said strong aftershocks may still rock Wenchuan, though quakes exceeding 7.8 on the Richter scale are unlikely.

The region, which experts said is historically prone to earthquakes, has suffered more than 1,950 aftershocks in the past 25 hours, including three over 6 on the Richter scale and 14 between 5 and 6."

After Shock and Another Letter from Half the Sky

"Hello again,

During the past several hours Half the Sky has been working hard to get more information about the children impacted by the Sichuan and Chongqing earthquake. We know that it is not only children in welfare institutions who are in trouble. We know that hundreds of children have been separated from their families, have lost their parents, are hurt, traumatized and in pain. We know we must help; we have been working to figure how best to do so.

We have just a little bit of news. There have been hundreds of aftershocks, one reported to be as strong as 6.0. Children have again been evacuated from the Chengdu institution. Relief workers have arrived in the epicenter, Wenchuan. The Ministry of Civil Affairs (this is the ministry that HTS works with and also the agency responsible for disaster relief) has been unable to reach orphanages in the most affected areas: Mianyang, Zitong, Deyang and Aba. There are other welfare institutions in the affected areas but no others that house children. Each of the four institutions above houses about 100 children. We believe they will need help. We will continue to watch and wait.

Many of you have asked us to set up an emergency relief fund, like we did during the winter storms. Given the nature of this disaster and the fact that help for children may well be needed outside welfare institutions (where we have a direct line) we have waited to set up such a fund until we had absolute assurance that we could put a system in place to deliver the aid where it is most desperately needed.

Half the Sky takes the designation of a donor-restricted gift seriously - that's our promise to you. We understand that when you make an emergency donation, you put your trust in us. We have spoken very carefully about this with our colleagues at the Ministry of Civil Affairs. We now have their promise as well.

In cooperation with the ministry, we have now set up the Half the Sky Children's Earthquake Fund. Your donations to the fund will be used to provide emergency and long-term relief to children affected by the disaster. Relief will include emergency shelter, food, and medical care for children orphaned or separated from their families. It will include temporary or long-term foster care or, when necessary, temporary institutional care.

We have a commitment from the ministry that we will receive regular updates on the use of funds and, most important, the well-being of the children.

Within a few hours we will have available a dedicated donation site. In the meantime, if you wish to make a gift to aid children in Sichuan and Chongqing affected by the quake, you may donate through our website, www.halfthesky.org. Please note that your gift is for earthquake relief.

I will give you more information as I receive it. Please don't write to ask about the situation in specific locations. I will tell you everything I know. Thank you for caring so much about the children. with love, Jenny Jenny Bowen Executive Director Half the Sky Foundation" www.halfthesky.org "

I know these things are in the hands of God but I am not getting excited to check my email in the morning, afraid of what I might find. On the other hand I am so impressed with Half the Sky!!! This is our second email from them and I know others are getting them too because another one was posted on my Chengdu Yahoo Group.

This reminds me of when 9-11 happened. While getting ready for work in the morning I recieve a phone call from my Dad. He asks me if I know what is going on and I did not. He was like, don't go any where, stay in side. He called me just after the first plane went down. I remember how my heart just ached for the people that this happened too and at the same time wondering about my very own freedom! I will never forget that day when my Dad called me. I hope that never happens again. I know the earthquake is different but I get that same feeling in the morning of not knowing what is going on, things are out of my control.

Anyways, Do you know why I get these emails from Half the Sky? Remember when I enquired about Sophie in the Granny or Little Sister Program? Well they kept my email and information from that one little email. No words can express how well they run this organization. We forever will support them as they are helping take care of All Children in China and our Daughter in China!!

Then I read this email from Becca. It brought tears to my eyes. Yes, I have had a few of them over the two days. Trying to stay strong. Here is what Becca wrote: "Thank God Sophie is okay. This sweet little angel has made it through a lot to come home to her family. There are angels watching over her, for sure. Maybe Grandma Smith angels...;) Love you guys."

I just pray for everyone in China that has been affected by this, everyone who is missing loved ones, for people that are hurt/have been hurt or can not find their family/friends and our little girl. We pray that everyone is safe. Thank you everyone for your prayers, Love Michele, Rick and Simone

Simone Talking To Jeni

"Thanks for the updated... I think Nix and I sat there for a little bit trying to see where it hit.. I finally looked at Nix and said Sophie is fine.. She has to be safe. The Houstons are the best people and God will hold Sophies hand till they get there.. She is fine, we are too close to the end.. I replayed my "one of many conversations" with Simone last night, Simone telling me that Sophie would be coming home in a few days, Long days Jeni.. She has a broken leg and needs a shot. Simone knows her sister is fine... Love You Guys.....--jen"

Above is the email that we received from Jeni. It cracks me up and brings a smile to my face.....TO give you a little back ground Simone had her four year old shots on Friday. Lets just say it was a pretty dramatic time. It melted our hearts when we heard "that Scream!" My Mom could even hear her in the waiting room.

We have also been talking with Simone about the fact that Sophie's feet do not work as fast as hers, she walks slowly and with a limp. We have also been talking a lot about how everyone needs to have shots and it does hurt....So I think that is why Simone told Jeni that she "has a broken leg and needs a shot."

Below are some more emails that we have received:

"Michele and Rick,I'm so happy to hear that Sophie's Orphanage is o.k. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been when you heard about the earthquake.Hope you have Sophie home soon! We cannot wait to meet her.Tracy W."

"Whew…. I am so glad, been thinking about Sophie all day!" (Erica)

"Phew! That is wonderful news!" (Katie)

"Michele~ Thanks for the update. You have been on my mind all day. I’m glad to hear that Sophie and the other children are okay. I pray for China right now as they recover from such a big tragedy. Your family is in my prayers as well as you prepare to travel to China and bring your daughter home. Let me know if there is anything I can do in the coming weeks. Love,
The Kirbys"

"Yea! Such good news! :) Of course our hearts still go out to others who are not as fortunate, but thank goodness for Sophie and the rest of her friends in China. I'm sure it was all very confusing and scary for the little ones, but soon she'll be in your loving arms! Hugs 'n Love, Marci"

"Michele, Our prayers are being answered! Know we love you and pray for you and your family every day! We will do anything for you! Love, Janet"

"Thank you. 18000 presumed dead, my word." (John)

"wheew xo" (Melissa)

"Great News! It is a Happy Birthday indeed!" (Cami)

"So glad to hear!! What a blessing that Sophie is connected with Half the Sky...now more than ever. What a relief to know she is safe. Nadine"

"I am so happy to hear that Sophie o.k.! You should betraveling soon! congratulations! We have been thinking about all of our "Ling" girls,three years ago this week since we got Lily! It hasbeen an amazing 3 years hasn't it? Laurette and Ken"

"We've been thinking about Sophie all day... Michele, please let us know if you hear anything. I'm going to go check your blog and keep checking it for details. We are praying that her orphanage is okay. I have been reading all the news articles I can find. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers! Jess & David & kids...."

"It sounds like all is OK, but will keep all of you in our prayers. Thanks for keeping us informed. Tom"

"Thanks for keeping us updated Michele! Your family and Sophie are in our hearts and prayers. What an awful catastrophe for so many, we are so relieved to hear Sophie is ok. Love, Jenn (W)"

"Thanks for sharing with me! You and ALL yours will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!!! Love, Jess (O)"

"Oh wow Michele, I had no idea (I don't watch the news & have been with a friend from Montana & not at work)! I am happy to hear Sophie is safe! Thinking of you! XOXO, Jen"

"Gracias a Dios!! She is okay. Thank you so much for the update.
Maria"

Earthquake Information From Half the Sky

Below is an email I got this afternoon from Half the Sky:

"Dear Friends,

We have received many emails and calls about the terrible earthquake that struck Sichuan and Chongqing yesterday. We have reached the three orphanages where Half the Sky operates programs:

Chengdu, Chongqing and Yibin. All is well. At each place, the children were all evacuated until the tremors passed. The buildings suffered no great damage. And no child was injured.

We will reach out to other welfare institutions in the province today. Should we learn of any problems or earthquake-related needs, I’ll post another note.

Some of you have also written regarding the EV71 hand-foot-mouth virus that has affected many, particularly young children, in several provinces.The orphanages are taking special precautions and no child in an institution has been reported infected. We are monitoring this also.

While Half the Sky exists first and foremost to provide nurturing care and education to orphaned children, we are pleased to be in a position to be the eyes and ears on the ground in China for all of you who have such concern for all aspects of the children's welfare. We are so grateful to those of you who make our presence in China possible.

with love,Jenny

Jenny Bowen
Executive DirectorHalf the Sky Foundationwww.halfthesky.org
Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate infant nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for older children and establish loving permanent family care and guidance for children with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every orphaned child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright future. "

Below are some more emails from family and friends that we got after we sent out an email with the above letter in it! I can not bring my self to delete them and I have to save them as these made such a big impact on our life today! This first one from Cyndy brought tears to my eyes! They are all treasured emails as we have a lot to be thankful for. We still do pray and think about all of the people in China that have been affected by this earthquake. We feel for them!!

"chelle: I am so very glad to hear all is okay with Sophie. I have had you in my thoughts & prays and will continue to do so. I love you guys so much!! You are so important in my childrens' lives, I feel as if you're my family too. Here is hoping your family can be united very soon. Cyndy"

"That is great news! When I read your earlier email, my heart went out to you. I am so happy to hear that Sophie all the children are safe. Love Ya, Bethanie"

"What a relief!!!" (Rachel)

"Michele, So glad to hear that things seem to be okay for Sophie! All the more reason to be thankful that you get to leave soon to go get her! Jessica C."

"THANK GOD! I am so relieved for you guys Michele!" (Kimi)

"Thank you Jesus! Litterally, thank you Jesus!!!Roxanne"

"Good to hear, I have been thinking about you all day.....
~Amy"

"Thank God!!! We will continue to pray for your family and that you may be united shortly! Please keep me posted on when you will be leaving....it is pretty funny, you got Simone around the same time as I had Luke, and now little Sophie will be joining us as I am about to have my own little girl! Can't wait to meet her! Summer"

"Praise God, Michele, I have a friend who is adopting from China this month they are scheduled to go and get their son. I have no idea if the quake effected their orphange. I did pass on your blog to her, I hope you don't mind. I will get more details from where they are adopting. Pray for her as well, (P and E, J H 15 months old.) Em"

"Thank you so much for the update...so glad Sophie is ok. Denise"

Chengdu Earth Quake

This morning ask I checked my email before work this is what I see....Two emails from friends that have the words Sophie as the subject. I open this one from Denise first, then from Kimi. I knew nothing about the earthquakes...yet. I am saving both of these emails for Sophie. As I was reading them my heart just sank! Read below:

"I have been thinking of you and praying for Sophie and the other children. Do you know anything about the orphanage? Maybe your agency can find out something?
I know how you must be feeling...praying for you~
Denise"

"Have you heard anything from your agency regarding the earthquake in China? I am assuming you heard a 7.8 quake hit this morning 57 miles north of Chengdu. If not there is a link below... Chris and I are both watching for any information, but nothing so far regarding Chengdu specifically. I'm praying everything is fine. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7396400.stm

Kimi"

My tummy and heart just sank!! I just want to help but I can't! I keep thinking about our little Sophie and everyone else in Chengdu and surrounding areas...Praying for them. I call Rick at work. He gets up very early and heard about it on the news. I emailed our case worker to see what she can find out. Thanks Denise for the idea.

Then just as I leave we get another email from Nadine:

"I just saw this when I turned on the computer this morning...have you heard?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24573168/?GT1=43001
We are thinking of Sophie and hoping all is well!!
Nadine"

Thanks everyone for thinking of us, Sophie and everyone else in the Chengdu Area that have been affected by this!

Below are some more links about it:

Here is another link to a person who is in China right now and blogged about the Earth Quake (not sure where I found this one??):

http://www.npr.org/blogs/chengdu/

Thanks to Matha from my Chengdu Adoption Yahoo Group I found this link to a blog. Check it out.
http://willgoestochina.blogspot.com/2008/05/earthquake.html

Here are some more comments from friends and family. I hope I got them all here. Some of you may wonder why I save these?? A few reasons. One is because I want Sophie to know that we choose her and we are praying for her every day. We also want her to know that so many of our friends and family are thinking of her too. We always want her to know how much she is loves. We are also using this blog as a scrapbook. So below are some of the comments we have recieved after sending out a email to friends and family:

"Michele,
I saw this this morning...and immediately thought of calling you.
Let us know if you hear anything...
David"

"Oh, Michele! I thought of your family this morning. Sophie will be in my prayers. Please keep us posted!" (Andrea M.)

"Michele -We are so sorry to hear about the earthquake. Pleasekeep us updated! Rachel"

"Michele,
Know that we are praying for Sophie and also for the Houston family! We love you! Janet and Shelby"

Mary M. (some how deleted her first email.)

"Thank you! (It is Cami's Birthday Today.) Let us know about Sophie as soon as you know. I have said a little prayer. Thinking of you!" (Cami)

"Hey there, Our charter e-mail account isn't working. Only the hotmail one. Marci wrote me and asked me to forward on the below e-mail to you because hers isn't working either.
OMG!! I didn't know till she just wrote. PLEASE keep us updated if you hear anything. You all are in our prayers!!! Love you, Windy, Mike and Collin"

"Oh Michele, how scary! We're praying for little Sophie and the others. I read the article you linked to and at least it said at the bottom of the article that there weren't any collapses in Chengdu...I hope that comforts you a little until you hear she's safe. Just keep telling yourself - Sophie is meant to be with you, she'll be home with you soon! We'll be thinking of you and your family. All our love, Dan and Marci"

(Carrie Duffey and Family....By mistake deleted theirs while I was doing this....So I don't have there email on here but they are thinking of Sophie too.)

"I just saw this news article right before I got your email and wondered if Sophie was in this part of China. I'm praying she is safe..I'm sure you must be going crazy so I am praying for you too. Love you, Karen"

"Oh Michele,I pray that everything is okay for her. It sounds like Chengdu may have made it through without too many problems??? Let's get her home!!!" (Auntie Becca)

"Michele, You know that your family and little Sophie are in my prayers! Lori"

"Praying like mad...please keep us posted on what you hear.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo"(Melissa)

"The news sounds good out of Chengdu. Rumor Queen seems to be on top of things. I haven't checked Half the Sky's site yet. Denise"

"I am praying for our little girl and those who are caring for her. Thanks for keeping me updated. Thinking of you and Rick!" (Beth)

"Here is a link to a news article about the earth quake near Chengdu.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24573168/?GT1=43001Our own Pandafamily members Michele and Rick Houston have a waiting daughter in Chengdu. I want to personally offer Michele and her family the best hope for good news.Mary"

"I’ll keep her in my prayers. You are such a strong sane person. Keep it up, she’ll soon be with you!" (Kris)

"Have you heard back about how Sophie is doing? How far was she from this?
sum"

"Dear Michelle:
She has been on mind all morning. Of course, we will pray for her and the people affected. I hope all is well. It may take a while to get news but please let us know when you hear anything.
Love,
Maria"

"TY – I’m forwarding it home so I can take my time and read it. Thanks for sharing in your special adventure. Cil"

"We've been thinking about Sophie all day... Michele, please let us know if you hear anything. I'm going to go check your blog and keep checking it for details. We are praying that her orphanage is okay. I have been reading all the news articles I can find. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers! Jess & David & kids...."

Chinese Visa Applications Are On Their Way!

This is what I got today about our Tourist Visa's!!

Received your passport and they are on the way to the Chinese Consulate for visa processing.

One Step closer to Sophie!!

Sophies First Package Arrives

Sophie's First Package Arrives in China. This does not mean that she has seen it though. It may take a day or two for it to get to her. I guess the only way we will ever know if it made it or not is if she has the blanket and/or stuffed animal when we see her??

Here is what I have been following these past few days:

Delivered Abroad, May 07, 2008, 4:25 pm, CHINA PEOPLES REP
Arrived Abroad, May 05, 2008, 8:48 pm, CHINA PEOPLES REP
International Dispatch, May 02, 2008, 5:14 pm, SAN FRANCISCO
Processed, May 02, 2008, 5:13 pm, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94128
Processed, May 01, 2008, 8:24 pm, SEATTLE, WA 98158
Acceptance, May 01, 2008, 7:51 pm, SEATTLE, WA 98158

So we are working on mailing her second one. This one will have the two disposable cameras.