| All rights reserved. |
AiLing's Story
Her name was Yun Xia. She was nine years old and lived on the streets of a large city in southern China. She survived
by begging. I was startled when she walked up to me with her hands out. Her dirty face and ragged clothes clashed
sharply with the beauty around me. Instinctively I took her in my arms and held her close. That was over seventeen
years ago. I have often wondered what happened to Yun Xia. I was unable to persuade my parents or grandparents
to take her in so she was left on the streets to fend for herself.
At that moment, my heart felt a strong desire to do more than just walk away. The seeds of AiLing Hua were planted
then and they are just now beginning to sprout. It is our intention to establish a children's home in Shenzhen that will
be a place of safety for the other Yun Xia's that have been abandoned to the streets of this city of nine million souls. A
place where hope can be planted and a future made possible.
The primary purpose of AiLing Hua Children's Home will be to help identify and provide temporary care for abandoned
or unwanted children with the ultimate goal of finding permanent homes for them. We believe that the future and
heart of every nation lies with its children. AiLing Hua would like to work with the Chinese government to ensure that
every child in China has loving parents, a home, a future, and hope.
James 1:27
(For the original version of AiLling's Story translated from Chinese, please page down)
Her name was Yun Xia. She was nine years old and lived on the streets of a large city in southern China. She survived
by begging. I was startled when she walked up to me with her hands out. Her dirty face and ragged clothes clashed
sharply with the beauty around me. Instinctively I took her in my arms and held her close. That was over seventeen
years ago. I have often wondered what happened to Yun Xia. I was unable to persuade my parents or grandparents
to take her in so she was left on the streets to fend for herself.
At that moment, my heart felt a strong desire to do more than just walk away. The seeds of AiLing Hua were planted
then and they are just now beginning to sprout. It is our intention to establish a children's home in Shenzhen that will
be a place of safety for the other Yun Xia's that have been abandoned to the streets of this city of nine million souls. A
place where hope can be planted and a future made possible.
The primary purpose of AiLing Hua Children's Home will be to help identify and provide temporary care for abandoned
or unwanted children with the ultimate goal of finding permanent homes for them. We believe that the future and
heart of every nation lies with its children. AiLing Hua would like to work with the Chinese government to ensure that
every child in China has loving parents, a home, a future, and hope.
James 1:27
(For the original version of AiLling's Story translated from Chinese, please page down)
AiLing's Story Translated from the Original Chinese
The span of life is replete with challenging storms, turbulences and rains. In a moment, life comes and goes swiftly as a
gust of wind on a blustery day. In due course of time it is a compilation of memories with various shades and hues.
Precedent setting choices, having been made, are rarely ever altered.
In my own life experience I must confess that certain reminiscences have so chiseled themselves indelibly into the soft
flesh of my heart till I can find no way of escape from them to this very day. While there is no way I can amend the
past, my haunting memories do truly compel me to initiate action to alter the future. I am propelled forward with hope
into this new adventure in life.
Seventeen years ago I resided in a certain large city situated in southern China. Having just graduated from college I
found myself pondering the intricacies and enigmas of life: Full of dreams but equally satiated with questions. One hot
and sultry afternoon, as I bicycled through a shady walkway near Jin Jiang River, my heart was touched by its
spectacular scenic beauty. I sat down in a roadway Coffee House, ordered a cup of my favorite tea, and leaned my
head back in contemplative reflection.
Momentarily I was absorbed in the surveillance of my surroundings; enraptured by the graceful sunset while
simultaneously drawn to the motions and mannerism of an incessant stream of passers-by. My soul had found a quiet
and peaceful place where I could drink as deeply of life as I would choose.
Jolting me from my trance was a little beggar, dirty faced and dressed in rags, sauntering toward me. His miserable
glances, painful expression and incoherent mutterings captured my attention. This shameful little child juxtaposed
against the glorious sunset and peaceful surroundings have created a picture of huge contrast in my heart.
I conversed with him. “He” is a girl! Her frail body, dirty hair and filthy clothes had deceived me. Nine years earlier she
was born in a village of a nearby county. Her parents rejected her on the day she was born because of her sex and
discarded her in a toilet. It was cold and early morning, when an elderly grandma took her into her arms. She gave her
a beautiful name, “Yun Xia”. It was from this unknown grandma that she learned what love means: Acceptance!
Several years later, the grandma died. Love died as well! Yun Xia was left with the son and daughter-in-law. They
mistreated her badly, and in desperation she escaped from them. She caught a train and came to this big city……
without any relatives in the world. She became a beggar. At the time I met her, she had already made her living by
begging for over a year.
A nine-year-old girl…..no home, no place to sleep safely at night: begging for enough food each day to stay alive! How
could this be? Where was justice? Where was compassion? Here I was twenty years old and coming face to face with a
reality that shook me to the core! There must be some remedy to this situation. What could I do? What should others
do?
I helped her to the back of my bicycle and headed to my parent’s house. I stopped near our apartment and ran in to
get her a shirt. Now the door guards would not identify her as a paltry thief and keep her away. As soon as we got
inside I gave her a bath immediately and put on her some old clothes I wore when I was about her size. She looked
much better now!
We agreed together as to the story we would tell my parents.
Soon my parents came home after work. I introduced her to them as a relative of one of my friends who had just come
from a village. I suggested that maybe we might consider hiring her as a maid to do some simple house work, for
example cleaning and so on. The firm voice of my Dad left not even breathing space for me to maneuver, “She is not
yet an adult! We cannot hire her!”
To be honest, I was astonished at his lack of compassion!
Again I took her on my bicycle and traveled for over an hour to the west part of the City where my beloved
grandparents lived. I thought to myself that my grandparents would help me. Their gentleness and kindness always
encouraged me to tell them the truth of a matter. I told them the true story of this child. She stayed with them for three
days. Three days latter, they gave her ten RMB, and told her to leave.
My heart was hurt deeply! I thought that those who loved me should have no problem loving and accepting her……
However, I was wrong! Shortly afterwards, I once again came to that walkway near the river where I met Yun Xia. I
found her there! She wore the same clothes I had given her but now they had become soiled and crumpled.
I looked at her and cried……she looked at me cried also…… I left her with most of my pocket money, lots of clothes and
food. I left her there, my heart wrenched with pain! I hated myself that I was not able to help her. I hated the world of
coldness, selfish and carelessness! I felt betrayed by those I trusted would help and frustrated with my own inability to
do anything more. Even to this day I feel the hurt deep down in the recesses of my heart.
Seventeen year have passed! I have never seen Yun Xia. Where is she now? Does she still live? She should be 28
years old now. Will I ever see her again? Would I know her if I saw her. I would like to think that one day I will see her
and I will know her in some mysterious way when I look into her eyes and she into mine.
Social snobbery and the inconstancy of human relationships! However, the earth still revolves in its old ways. All things
come, all things pass. Everything changes, everything remains the same! Even if I never see Yun Xia again, I see
him/her every day, in avenues and streets in Shenzhen, in Beijing, in Guangzhou, in China’s every city and village.
What can I do to change their unfortunate fate and future?! What can I do to cure my forever pain?!
What I couldn’t do for Yun Xia, I along with the help of others will be able to do for a thousand other
Yun Xia’s. This is the simple vision of AiLing Hua Foundation.
The past six years here in the U.S. have given me genuine insight and a greater ability to positively impact the lives of
China’s less fortunate children. I have excelled in my studies at Durham Community College and have earned my
credentials I & II in Early Childhood Development.
In addition I am currently a teacher at Raleigh Academy of Chinese language. In my class, I have three orphans that
were adopted by American families who are studying to learn the Chinese language.
On a more personal note, it is deeply satisfying and fulfilling to know that my husband has such an equal love for China
and its children especially.
We have been happily married for over six years. My husband is a realtor/broker. He has deep love and compassion
towards Chinese orphans. It is this love that connects us in a special way to Chinese orphans.
The span of life is replete with challenging storms, turbulences and rains. In a moment, life comes and goes swiftly as a
gust of wind on a blustery day. In due course of time it is a compilation of memories with various shades and hues.
Precedent setting choices, having been made, are rarely ever altered.
In my own life experience I must confess that certain reminiscences have so chiseled themselves indelibly into the soft
flesh of my heart till I can find no way of escape from them to this very day. While there is no way I can amend the
past, my haunting memories do truly compel me to initiate action to alter the future. I am propelled forward with hope
into this new adventure in life.
Seventeen years ago I resided in a certain large city situated in southern China. Having just graduated from college I
found myself pondering the intricacies and enigmas of life: Full of dreams but equally satiated with questions. One hot
and sultry afternoon, as I bicycled through a shady walkway near Jin Jiang River, my heart was touched by its
spectacular scenic beauty. I sat down in a roadway Coffee House, ordered a cup of my favorite tea, and leaned my
head back in contemplative reflection.
Momentarily I was absorbed in the surveillance of my surroundings; enraptured by the graceful sunset while
simultaneously drawn to the motions and mannerism of an incessant stream of passers-by. My soul had found a quiet
and peaceful place where I could drink as deeply of life as I would choose.
Jolting me from my trance was a little beggar, dirty faced and dressed in rags, sauntering toward me. His miserable
glances, painful expression and incoherent mutterings captured my attention. This shameful little child juxtaposed
against the glorious sunset and peaceful surroundings have created a picture of huge contrast in my heart.
I conversed with him. “He” is a girl! Her frail body, dirty hair and filthy clothes had deceived me. Nine years earlier she
was born in a village of a nearby county. Her parents rejected her on the day she was born because of her sex and
discarded her in a toilet. It was cold and early morning, when an elderly grandma took her into her arms. She gave her
a beautiful name, “Yun Xia”. It was from this unknown grandma that she learned what love means: Acceptance!
Several years later, the grandma died. Love died as well! Yun Xia was left with the son and daughter-in-law. They
mistreated her badly, and in desperation she escaped from them. She caught a train and came to this big city……
without any relatives in the world. She became a beggar. At the time I met her, she had already made her living by
begging for over a year.
A nine-year-old girl…..no home, no place to sleep safely at night: begging for enough food each day to stay alive! How
could this be? Where was justice? Where was compassion? Here I was twenty years old and coming face to face with a
reality that shook me to the core! There must be some remedy to this situation. What could I do? What should others
do?
I helped her to the back of my bicycle and headed to my parent’s house. I stopped near our apartment and ran in to
get her a shirt. Now the door guards would not identify her as a paltry thief and keep her away. As soon as we got
inside I gave her a bath immediately and put on her some old clothes I wore when I was about her size. She looked
much better now!
We agreed together as to the story we would tell my parents.
Soon my parents came home after work. I introduced her to them as a relative of one of my friends who had just come
from a village. I suggested that maybe we might consider hiring her as a maid to do some simple house work, for
example cleaning and so on. The firm voice of my Dad left not even breathing space for me to maneuver, “She is not
yet an adult! We cannot hire her!”
To be honest, I was astonished at his lack of compassion!
Again I took her on my bicycle and traveled for over an hour to the west part of the City where my beloved
grandparents lived. I thought to myself that my grandparents would help me. Their gentleness and kindness always
encouraged me to tell them the truth of a matter. I told them the true story of this child. She stayed with them for three
days. Three days latter, they gave her ten RMB, and told her to leave.
My heart was hurt deeply! I thought that those who loved me should have no problem loving and accepting her……
However, I was wrong! Shortly afterwards, I once again came to that walkway near the river where I met Yun Xia. I
found her there! She wore the same clothes I had given her but now they had become soiled and crumpled.
I looked at her and cried……she looked at me cried also…… I left her with most of my pocket money, lots of clothes and
food. I left her there, my heart wrenched with pain! I hated myself that I was not able to help her. I hated the world of
coldness, selfish and carelessness! I felt betrayed by those I trusted would help and frustrated with my own inability to
do anything more. Even to this day I feel the hurt deep down in the recesses of my heart.
Seventeen year have passed! I have never seen Yun Xia. Where is she now? Does she still live? She should be 28
years old now. Will I ever see her again? Would I know her if I saw her. I would like to think that one day I will see her
and I will know her in some mysterious way when I look into her eyes and she into mine.
Social snobbery and the inconstancy of human relationships! However, the earth still revolves in its old ways. All things
come, all things pass. Everything changes, everything remains the same! Even if I never see Yun Xia again, I see
him/her every day, in avenues and streets in Shenzhen, in Beijing, in Guangzhou, in China’s every city and village.
What can I do to change their unfortunate fate and future?! What can I do to cure my forever pain?!
What I couldn’t do for Yun Xia, I along with the help of others will be able to do for a thousand other
Yun Xia’s. This is the simple vision of AiLing Hua Foundation.
The past six years here in the U.S. have given me genuine insight and a greater ability to positively impact the lives of
China’s less fortunate children. I have excelled in my studies at Durham Community College and have earned my
credentials I & II in Early Childhood Development.
In addition I am currently a teacher at Raleigh Academy of Chinese language. In my class, I have three orphans that
were adopted by American families who are studying to learn the Chinese language.
On a more personal note, it is deeply satisfying and fulfilling to know that my husband has such an equal love for China
and its children especially.
We have been happily married for over six years. My husband is a realtor/broker. He has deep love and compassion
towards Chinese orphans. It is this love that connects us in a special way to Chinese orphans.
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| AiLing Hua Children's Home |