April, 2006
Dear families,
Have you been thinking about visiting China with your child?
Think about group homeland visits organized by The Children’s Bridge, an adoption agency with over 14 years of experience working and traveling in China.
Why go on a homeland visit with your child?
Traveling to your child’s country of birth to learn about her heritage is an irreplaceable experience. It can open the door for discussions about her culture and her adoption. I know, from first-hand experience with my children that it instils a sense of pride built on direct contact. The trip makes the culture a lively rich reality far more tangible for a child than sporadic celebrations at occasional events. Visiting China makes your child a participant in the culture of an evolving and exciting country rather than being a distant observer of a far off “foreign” land. The trip sends a strong message that your family values China and its place in your family history.
I encourage you to look at the March edition of the CB Quarterly Newsletter to read the stories of two families who took the journey in October 2005.
How old should my child be?
Children’s Bridge Homeland Visits are open to adoptees 6 years and older at the time of the trip. The adoptees who traveled on the first Children’s Bridge Homeland Visit in October 2005 were between six and 10 years old. All did amazingly well with the challenges of international travel. They adapted to the food, language, toilets, crowds, volume and schedule with as much, if not more, ease than their parents!
Should I visit the orphanage with my child?
A trip to China may or may not include a visit to your child’s orphanage. That decision is yours to make in the best interest of your child. Most of the families in the first Homeland Visit went to orphanages. I will be happy to talk to you in a general way about the variety of encounters. Four families chose not to visit orphanages for diverse reasons.
How much is this going to cost?
Here is a sampling of the costs in Canadian dollars for a 10-day trip, not including a visit to your child’s orphanage.
1 adult + 1 child in a double room:
$1,768 per adult, $650 per child = $2418
1 adult + 2 children in a double room with one extra bed:
$1,768 per adult, $650 per child (no extra bed) = $3068
2 adults + 2 children:
$1,378 per adult, $650 per child (no extra bed) = $4056
2 adults + 1 child in a double room:
$1,378 per adult, $650 per child (no extra bed) = $3516
These costs DO NOT include airfare to China. We estimate them to be approximately $1800 per adult and $1200 for children under 12. Children older than 12 are considered adults both on Air Canada and for travel in China.
What the kids thought….
The Children’s Bridge first Homeland Visit in October 2005 was a universal hit with all the kids. They enjoyed the range of activities – from seeing ancient sights to visiting local schools – or maybe it was the unique opportunity to be in a group where every family was just like theirs that made the trip special.
Seeing, smelling, touching and being part of a living, evolving, and exciting contemporary China and sharing the adventure with kids just like them is a powerful experience. As one little girl on the trip said “…seeing where I came from and making friends that were just like me” was the best part of the trip.
The next Homeland Visit
The dates for the next trip are November 4-14, 2006. Trips to orphanage cities/orphanages can be arranged at an additional cost and scheduled at the end of the 10 day group trip.
The itinerary is similar to the pilot trip in October 2005. There is a sampling of historic, must see sights in Beijing and Xian. A unique feature of this trip is an overnight train ride from Beijing to Xi’an! For insight into a child’s life in China there are visits to a school and a kindergarten. Craft activities, a kite-flying excursion and a visit with the Giant Panda’s are just a few of the kid-focussed highlights of this 10 day trip.
Please contact me if you are interested in the next Homeland Visit in November 2006 or future dates (March 2007 and Summer 2007). Or download the registration forms, itinerary and accommodation options (which includes costs) from this site.
Deadline for registration for the November ’06 trip is July 4, 2006. The group size is limited to 10 families with a maximum of 6 travelers per family for a total of no more than 40 travelers in the group. I hope you can join us on this incredible trip!
Sincerely,
Chia Moua
Travel Coordinator
Tel: (613) 226-2112 Ext7
chiamoua@childrensbridge.com
ive Media Inc