Summary: My 1st day! We arranged to meet somebody from the foundation to receive instructions and our tasks for the day. This somebody is an amazing Tibetan woman named Pasang who is virtually taking care of all the families' needs and acts as the translator/liason between them and the doctors. Our hotel is about a 40 minute walk/subway ride to the hospital and we began to learn how to get around on public transporation. All the surgeries are at Amzhen Hospital (close to the Olympic Center) and there are ~7 families that made the trek from Tibet that either just had surgery a few days ago, or were waiting for their surgery later in the week. We met all the families and spent time getting to know each other through Pasang and Jason since he knows enough Mandarin speaking basics. The surgeries that took place were successful and the big take away is that these families are so happy and full of life because lives were saved and you could just tell they were so appreciative for all the help received (medically, financially, and even spiritually). After the hospital visit, we checked out the foundation's modest and homey apartment. It was a great 1st day to see hands on what these families have gone through and how evident their happiness for the simple, yet important things in life are appreciated. Life.
Photos from Day 1 are HERE. Captions have more details in the photo album! Disclaimer: I am horrible with languages and I totally butchered the kids names, but tried to spell it out phonetically. Sorry if I can't spell!
Here's a few pics:
Details:
With hectic schedules and the crazy dynamics that exist in the world we live in, our plans had changed and we were told to do 1 thing for the day: call somebody from the foundation to find out our daily tasks. We called Pasang in the morning and she was busy with the families, so we met up at 12:30 at Amzhen hospital. Getting to the hospital would be an adventure as Jason and I were on our own, going to learn how to get around. The subway is pretty clean and efficient considering the millions of people that it serves. I love public transportation that's so convenient and fast. Beijing's system is pretty darn good.
The kids are amazing. They had successful 3+hr surgeries and they look and act just fine! Very sturdy, happy kids ranging in ages 11 months to 24 yrs old. Some kids have waited 2+ years for their surgery. All the kids came with their parents, and some with uncles/aunties, and grandparents. They stay about a week and a half: arrive a few days before, have surgery, be monitored, recuperate, travel. All the kids have great attitudes. None of the 7 families knew each other before coming (they came from all over Tibet) but when they're here, they seem like they're all one big happy family, supporting each other, helping each other with getting food, etc.
After the hospital, we visited the apartment where the foundation's staff sometimes stays, along with doctors, and other families. It's real close to the hospital, very simple...and you just wanna keep doing more for them. We've got it so very luxiours in the states...quite an eye opener thus far...and it's only the beginning of the trip. Unfortunately, i know it's just going to fly by. Please continue to pray for us so that we continue to be a blessing to these families and to the foundation.
One last tidbet. I'm also really thankful Jason is here as his Chinese has been a life saver in talking with folks, and just surviving beijing. I don't speak diddly squat!!! Not even guesstures would save me here. =)
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