It can be as simple as the Christmas tree decoration Eastern or Russian nesting dolls. It can be as a foreign language class or a trip overseas. But parents, children to adopt other countries say they are doing something, they can teach their children about the country where they were born and they were proud that culture.”They are Americans, but they are also Chinese,” said Marcia Shawler, mother of a subsidiary of China and has a son of Taiwan. “I also want very much for the Chinese, they are proud because it is a party among them. ”
“Most of these children can not keep up their heritage as they abandoned children. Some days it was very important for them to be bonding with other children, “said Connie Kent, took 2 years, daughter, Jade, China.
Kent and Jade meet regularly with a group of other children playing China, along with the local group of families with children from China. The orphanage Jade came from the organization is also a club for children in the region.
In October, they went to review in a Disney World, organized by the Colorado-based believe that the Agency organizes’s Jade for adoption. More than 1700 people were there to play and go to the Mulan-ball, where children dressed in traditional Chinese clothes.
“Any part of the management of these organisations is such that children are able to connect with children in the same situation,” said Kent.
International adoption of Chinese children, which has arranged more than 2300 adoptions since 1994, advises parents to their children to begin teaching Chinese culture of the day one.The Colorado agency proposes the tapes for children aged 2 years that the Chinese are learning songs, history, geography, Making Craft, works of painting and much more.
“You must create an environment for a positive, they are,” said Joshua Zhong, president and founder of the adoption agency. “Do not be fooled, as they do well when they are young. They are so nice, and they do not see any problems.”
But, as if they grow older, especially as young people, children can not properly fight with everything in America and the truncated sense of the country have been in childbirth, feel relationship with the heritage and knowledge of other children in the same situation feel more secure they are and where they came from.
“Bring it is a culture to be proud, not only despise because they have been abandoned,” said Zhong. “China has a great culture, and people are very nice.”
Shawler and her husband, Steve was able to teach these children first hand. She took her children for nine years and now lives in St. Petersburg. But if the children were 4, his father was in China for two years. The children, Avery and Evan, a school and then began to learn Chinese.
“When we followed by China for a visit, I let you go spend the night with a Chinese family, so they see what is really good,” said Marcia Shawler. “We write letters to our friends here very often. We call every two weeks, and Evan Avery and talking on the phone Chinese, and it remains cool with them. ”
The Shawlers’ house is equipped with Chinese antiques and art. Children have dolls, jewelry and paintings, from the village, in which Avery was born. They are proud of their heritage, but Shawler recently tried an experiment to see how she felt comfortable, he shared with fellow American.
“I threw some chop-key in his pocket lunchtime. I thought they were going to come back and say:” Mom, it was really cornball, or they come back and tell me that the other kids thought that c It was cool, “she recounted.” It was great, because she came and said: “Mom, the other kids thought it was really cool.”
Shawler, but said she is aware not to push too hard.
“While they are proud of China, they also want a form of recruitment, they are,” she said.
Many children adopted in other countries, local schools to teach that language and culture. More than 50 children from 5 to 18 of the Chinese School in St. Petersburg on Sunday afternoon at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.
Some children have a parent of China, and some are Americans. The school focuses on language, but also to teach dance, music, history and culture of others. The costs amount to $ 120 per semester, and most teachers volunteer their time each week.
“I think if the Chinese, they do not want to remember your culture and your ancient language,” said Shu ping, a professor at the school.
In collaboration with bands playing and Potluck Dinner, the local group of families with children from China organizes celebrations of Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival moon and a festival. Large events attract not less than 185 children and their parents.
The group also serves as a source of support for parents waiting, what seems an eternity for their babies.
“She answered all these people, para. It is, as you know, it will happen. Even if I went through all week in the calendar for weeks Zillion, you just need time, “said Helen Tyler, president of the local group of the FCC. “It gives me goosebumps whenever I go to a function and you will see the new babies.”
Your books Group help parents teach history and Chinese culture. A favorite is a book of Chinese tales. Tyler, adopted at 4 years, Alyssa a Chinese orphanage, said his daughter loves a children’s book after a couple that travel to the adoption of a baby in China.
If Tyler went to adopt, Alyssa, she bought a few embroidered work of art in the Chinese wall. It depends eminent in their homes.
“Alyssa know mom, he received the Great Wall,” said Tyler. “I also hear talk when she plays with her dolls.