| 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 nineteen 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 was compelled 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, China 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.
We would like to invite you to join us. James 1:27
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 nineteen 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 was compelled 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, China 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.
We would like to invite you to join us. James 1:27
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| 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 until 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.
Nineteen 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 surrounds; 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 later, 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 and 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, selfishness 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.
Nineteen years have passed! I have never seen Yun Xia. Where is she now? Does she still live?
She would 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 inconsistency 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 her every day, in avenues and streets in Shenzhen, in
Beijing, in Guangzhou, in China's villages and cities. 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 eight years here in the U.S. has 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 eight 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.
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 until 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.
Nineteen 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 surrounds; 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 later, 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 and 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, selfishness 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.
Nineteen years have passed! I have never seen Yun Xia. Where is she now? Does she still live?
She would 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 inconsistency 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 her every day, in avenues and streets in Shenzhen, in
Beijing, in Guangzhou, in China's villages and cities. 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 eight years here in the U.S. has 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 eight 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.
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