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on December 4, 2012
It's difficult to fathom how a different cultures can be, but every day in this world of advancing technologies, we are challenged to understand a world quite different than the one we take for granted. Our advantages, even for the least advantaged are not anywhere near the norm for the rest of the world.
This is a sad, beautiful, well written, progression of diary entries. As the writer experiences it, we learn through her entries, how difficult it is for the people of China, who live in a culture teetering between the 21st century and the 19th - somewhere along the way, the 20th century was skipped.
In order to do good works while living in China, the author, an American woman endeavors to volunteer in an orphanage. She sees strange procedures, often counter productive and even cruel, like opening windows in the middle of winter, handicapped children who are hidden away because it is believed that their lives are hopeless, and where surgical intervention is only permitted after much bureaucratic red tape.
And every day children die.
I admire the author. I don't know if I would have continuted under the circumstances she "endured", except that this was what she had committed to - giving love and trying to alleviate the suffering of these children while witnessing their daily lives. To make the situation more depressing she toggled between being proactive for the children and being non confrontational regarding rules and staff, because of "face". Staff who enforced cruel and even insane rules that often hurt the children, while most of these people were decent and only doing what they had themselves been taught was best. Slowly things changed.
But as it always for the poor and the unwanted, it's never enough.
This is not an easy read. But it's a good one.
This is a sad, beautiful, well written, progression of diary entries. As the writer experiences it, we learn through her entries, how difficult it is for the people of China, who live in a culture teetering between the 21st century and the 19th - somewhere along the way, the 20th century was skipped.
In order to do good works while living in China, the author, an American woman endeavors to volunteer in an orphanage. She sees strange procedures, often counter productive and even cruel, like opening windows in the middle of winter, handicapped children who are hidden away because it is believed that their lives are hopeless, and where surgical intervention is only permitted after much bureaucratic red tape.
And every day children die.
I admire the author. I don't know if I would have continuted under the circumstances she "endured", except that this was what she had committed to - giving love and trying to alleviate the suffering of these children while witnessing their daily lives. To make the situation more depressing she toggled between being proactive for the children and being non confrontational regarding rules and staff, because of "face". Staff who enforced cruel and even insane rules that often hurt the children, while most of these people were decent and only doing what they had themselves been taught was best. Slowly things changed.
But as it always for the poor and the unwanted, it's never enough.
This is not an easy read. But it's a good one.
on February 15, 2014
In a few months I myself will travel to China on a church mission to an orphanage. My sweet mother found this book and suggested it to me. I am glad to have read it and been offered a glimpse of what I may face in the months ahead. One letter writer in the book asserted that one person can have a huge impact on the world and I also believe this to be true. Kay Bratt impacted many orphans lives, their last moments on earth, their health and well being and happily their forever families. Thank you for being such a kind, loving woman and a shining example of Christianity around the world.
on March 7, 2013
It took me awhile to bring myself to read this book. As an adoptive parent of two children from China, I have heard many conflicting stories about what actually goes on in Chinese orphanages, and many of them were not good. I almost did not want to know the truth. So I read it, and I am glad that I did.
Ms. Bratt offers a perspective that few can, as a western woman volunteering inside of a Chinese orphanage. I cannot imagine the strength of character required to do the work that she has done, and her experiences were very well documented in this book (a series of journal entries). You might expect an expose slamming orphanage practises, but that is not the case. The reporting is very balanced and non judgemental. I came away with a better understanding and sympathy for what the Chinese nannies go through. With limited resources available the orphanage staff has to make difficult decisions over which children will get a better chance to survive. The book also offers hope, because over time we read how the conditions and practises were improved upon. It was very eye opening for me personally, as my son was adopted through the special needs program (cleft). I realize now, more than ever, how lucky he is (and we are too) that he survived to be adopted.
This should be required reading for parents of Chinese adoptees. Get your kleenex and read it!
Ms. Bratt offers a perspective that few can, as a western woman volunteering inside of a Chinese orphanage. I cannot imagine the strength of character required to do the work that she has done, and her experiences were very well documented in this book (a series of journal entries). You might expect an expose slamming orphanage practises, but that is not the case. The reporting is very balanced and non judgemental. I came away with a better understanding and sympathy for what the Chinese nannies go through. With limited resources available the orphanage staff has to make difficult decisions over which children will get a better chance to survive. The book also offers hope, because over time we read how the conditions and practises were improved upon. It was very eye opening for me personally, as my son was adopted through the special needs program (cleft). I realize now, more than ever, how lucky he is (and we are too) that he survived to be adopted.
This should be required reading for parents of Chinese adoptees. Get your kleenex and read it!
on December 22, 2016
A well-written book about a difficult subject. I'm glad that I read it because I needed to be aware of what is happening in our world. It was uplifting that Kay and her fellow volunteer 'expats' made such a difference; yet, I agonized at the thought of how many more babies/children need to be rescued, not only in China, but too many other countries. I am grateful to be an American Christian, and am proud of people like Kay who not only proclaim, but also live their religion.
on April 30, 2017
What a heart rendering account of Ms Bratt experience in China working in an orphanage and struggling to improve conditions there.
on March 11, 2014
A wonderfully written book. We are shown what a horrid place China is. People only have access on t.v. and the internet that the government allows, which is sad. The people themselves do not have much of a heart. They discard their children if they are female or have ANY health issue even if it is just cosmetic. They are put in orphanages were the babies are beaten for crying, toddlers are tied to chairs. Babies all share bottles and are only given little time before the bottle goes to the next baby. No toys. If they are not strong enough they are left to die. The people who are to take care of them treat them worse then animals. I give this women so much praise for going with her heart and with the strength of god to give these children everything she could. There is so much more to this book. This is a must read for everyone, to know the real China.
"Chinese people can be so inhumane" Quote from Kay Bratt
"Chinese people can be so inhumane" Quote from Kay Bratt
on August 2, 2012
This book provides insight into the workings of orphanages in China, providing on-the-ground reporting of the conditions found in the orphanages and attempting to contextualize the impressions that the international community perceives. While the children's individual backgrounds are interesting and the description of conditions within the facility are both an explanation and excusing, there is clearly a contempt for the administration's attempts to pacify onlookers with false, missing or misleading information. There are sad stories and success stories, and there is a sense of true desire to help without judgment that would otherwise hamper all attempts to provide hope to these children, many of whom are considered unadoptable due to physical issues such as heart defects, cleft palates or even birth marks. As a reader, though, I am disappointed in the lack of follow-through with initial story of a young mother who places her female child in a public area in hopes that the orphanage will find it and take care of the baby girl, who was abandoned after being born a girl on the day her grandfather died, a very bad omen in Chinese tradition. Additionally, this reader is concerned about the potential repercussions of publishing this account of less-than-optimal conditions and actions inherent in the international adoption agencies in countries that are perceived to provide similar environments.
A good book to read when tryng to understand more about the conditions surrounding orphans in countries where little priority is placed upon the needs of young, poor, ill and handicapped children.
A good book to read when tryng to understand more about the conditions surrounding orphans in countries where little priority is placed upon the needs of young, poor, ill and handicapped children.
on June 28, 2013
This is why I shouldn't be allowed to read books! I wanted to cry while reading most of this!!
Kay's life changes when her husband's company sends him to China. Their 18 month stay turns into four years. As the family adapts to the very different way of life into which they have been abruptly placed, Kay begins volunteering with other expatriate women at the local orphanage. What she finds there shocks her into action, organizing other women and starting a global crusade to proved much needed donations of clothing and food, as well as money for medical treatment. While she is often discouraged, and sometimes her intolerance of a less emotional culture shows in her writing, she often does go back and and remind the reader that there are only several workers caring for more about 200 children with inadequate (or no) training and too few supplies. While some of their methods are inexplicably harsh, others are eventually explained through the circumstances.
I think Kay's story is amazing. One person really can make a difference in so many lives
Kay's life changes when her husband's company sends him to China. Their 18 month stay turns into four years. As the family adapts to the very different way of life into which they have been abruptly placed, Kay begins volunteering with other expatriate women at the local orphanage. What she finds there shocks her into action, organizing other women and starting a global crusade to proved much needed donations of clothing and food, as well as money for medical treatment. While she is often discouraged, and sometimes her intolerance of a less emotional culture shows in her writing, she often does go back and and remind the reader that there are only several workers caring for more about 200 children with inadequate (or no) training and too few supplies. While some of their methods are inexplicably harsh, others are eventually explained through the circumstances.
I think Kay's story is amazing. One person really can make a difference in so many lives
on November 22, 2016
Very interesting as I learned much about China and its peoples' value on life (especially the handicapped and young).. There is a lot of sadness but also throughout the book the author shares her changes as she continues to volunteer at a particular orphanage and live in a Chinese city. I believe she could have shortened the book a bit.. at times some entries (diary form) seemed unnecessary to relay her messages. Overall a good read.
