Happy Chinese New Year

In honor of the Chinese New Year, I thought I'd spend some time researching where Zheng Lan is from...Zhengzou City, Henan Province. It is one of the best places to receive medical care because of a charity that is run to specifically meet the needs of the children in this area. We know our daughter was blessed to be in such a place to be provided the medical care she needed.

Zhengzou City, Henan Province, China

Pictures: (left to right) 2 photos of Archialogical digs, Zhongyue Temple, Shaolin Temple Grounds, Map of Henan Province, Kung Fu at Shaolin Temple, 2nd Annual Wushu Festival, Mt. Songshan (or Song Mountain), Yellow River (one of 4 main rivers in China)

Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute in China (Orphanage)

Zhengzhou Social Wlefare Institute, and Zhengzhou Children's Welfare Institute is part of Government funded comprehensive social welfare unit. Currently, it is one orgaization with two names, as subordinate branch to Zhengahou CIvil Affairs Bureau. Built in the early days of liberation.

The institute is mainly responsible for taking in the young, the handicapped, and the old who have been left homeless, and without any social or financial supports. Currently, there are 60 staff members, 4 supervising staff, 1head secretary and dean, 1 vice-secretary, 2 vice-deans. There are four divisions in our institute, including main office, adoption management section, medical and rehab section, finance section, and executive management office.

The total area of our institute consists of 43 053 square meters, with a total floor space of 19 226.6 square meters. We have a newly built “home”, a 5 storey comprehensive facility with functions of living, rehab, recreation and etc. The building was made of courtyard style with medical and rehab center, dining room, boiler room, laundry room and public baths. Inside it are recreational facilities such as computer room, arcade, exercise room, and a square for relaxation and activity. 95% of the outdoor areas are filled with grass and garden plants. There are over 100 varieties of flowers and bushes, blooming at different seasons, creating different sceneries all four seasons. There are also rock mountains, fountains and ponds, gazebos, and the environment is excellent and air is refreshing. The living rooms are equipped with air-conditioners, electronic fans, heat, hot water and cable TV. There are also chess room and musical hall. The elders and children are provided with high quality living conditions.

There are currently 216 occupants, among them, 89 children, and 60 elderly, and 67 youths with disability or deformity. Our mission is to contribute all our efforts for the needy individuals, which is also the duty of our staff. In the last few years, under the leadership of CPC and Government, the guidance from provincial leaders, and the undying support from Civil Affairs Bureau, especially since the replacement of the new leadership in our institute, with the guidance from dean and director Mr. Meng Xianpu, who serves as a model for us to follow, the team is led towards progress, development, and change. The team work together to explore new alternatives to new paths, to strengthen professional ethics, to spread work and team spirits, and the spirits of helping others, to give the remnant, elders, disabled and young our love and care, and use our effort and contribution, our warmth and kindness to spread our love across. www.china-ccaa.org

Zhengzhou City, Henan Province

The capital city of Henan Province, Zhengzhou is located in the middle of China, about 760 km (about 472 miles) south of Beijing and 480 kilometers (about 298 miles) east of Xian. After the Longhai Railway (Lanzhou to Lianyungang) and Jingjiu Railway (Beijing to Kowloon) were completed, their intersection, Zhengzhou, became a vital transportation hub. Thanks to this important position, the city has prospered.

With a pleasant climate, Zhengzhou is welcoming all year round. The hottest month is July and the average temperature is about 27C (80.6F) while the coldest month is January with an average temperature of -0.2C (31.64F). Autumn and spring are the best and the peak tourist seasons. You can enjoy a more beautiful Zhengzhou at that time.

The city is a national historical and cultural city and also the first destination for any Henan Tour. The ancient city was the capital of Shang Dynasty (16th - 11th century BC) 3,500 years ago when porcelain and the Chinese technique of bronze smelting were comparatively more developed. A green ceramic glaze pot unearthed in Zhengzhou has been shown to be the most ancient porcelain in China. A long history has left Zhengzhou with many cultural and historic sites. Shaolin Temple situated at the foot of Mt. Song is the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. If you are interested in Chinese Kong Fu, the temple and the performances must be seen. One of the four Academies of Classical Learning in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), Songyang Shuyuan, gives a complete depiction of Chinese ancient education. In addition, many ancient tombs, temple buildings and battle sites all show the dense culture of Zhengzhou.

Transportation provision in the city is excellent. Arriving and departing, whether by air, train or bus, is a smooth process as Zhengzhou is a center of transportation in middle China.