Changsha Day 4

We started off Day four in changsha by heading to Tessa's orphanage. In China, they call them social welfare institutes, SWI's. Tessa was assigned to Changsha #1 SWI. The staff said there are about 500 kids assigned there, but that most aren't eligible for adoption. I will never understand why countries don't make all children without families eligible and paper ready. In any case, the SWI wasn't what I was expecting. It's just a few floors in yet another high rise building. Nothing distinguishes it from other buildings. The bottom floors are a hospital, and I don't even know what else is in the building. The staff that welcomed us was the same two ladies that brought Tessa to us on Monday. Our guide says they are nannies, but they don't dress like the nannies. We asked them a few more questions, but like Monday they didn't know the answers. They just kept pulling out Tessa's file and reading.

Everyone was very nice, and very grateful for the pajamas. There was no heat, so they will be well used! They allowed us to take pictures, but said we can't put them on the internet. We only saw one floor, and it was for the older kids. No rooms with cribs or babies, which was probably a good thing for me. Everything was bright and cheerful, and very clean. Lots of rooms for activities and education, and the bedrooms were like dorms. 4 sets of bunk beds in each room, with a bathroom. It was very nice. I really wanted to see the baby room since that where Tessa would've been, but no luck. They said that was indeed the SWI she was in for the first thirteen months. I wore Tessa the entire time we were there, and just kept feeding her cheerios and talking to her. She did very well.

They told us her finding spot was the gate to the orphanage. Well, it's not gated in, it's just a few floors in a high-rise. She was found on the steps, leading up to a set of doors for the hospital. It's through the hospital lobby that you get to the elevators to go up. We got a few pics, but they aren't great. And we forgot video. I'm going to ask our guide if they can drive us back by there today on the way to the airport.

Enjoy the day's pics.

She loves her photo albums.

This is pretty much how we went through the entire SWI. I kept her very close and snuggled, and sang and whispered to her a lot. I wanted to make sure she knew she was leaving with us!

Her finding spot.



We went to the Embroidery Museum afterwards, and bought a couple of things. One for our den, one for her room.

It's Friday morning here, and our last day in Changsha. I'm very ready to get to Guangzhou, where all the American families will be while we wait for our consulate appointments next week. I can't wait to shop, get a burger, and be around more people that speak English. We've loved China, and Changsha is the real deal. We are also ready for the warmer weather in GZ.

We are doing a little sightseeing at 10am, then back to the room for Tessa's nap. We do a late checkout and leave for the airport around 330. Our flight isn't until 7:40pm, and we get into GZ at 8:50pm. Gonna be a late night! Needless to say, no more blog posts for about 24 hours. Or at least none with pics. We have Tessa's medical appt in the am, so prayers that goes well and her TB test is negative!!!