a long story, but worth the read . . . . .

PART I - "The Last Friend"

Once, not too long ago, there were three boys.  They all lived together in an orphanage in Jingzhou, Hubei Province in China. The boys pictured at left are Zhong Da, Zhong Hua and Zhong Wei.

Zhong Wei was hit by a car when he was just a little fellow. His family could not provide for medical care and his legs were left in a twisted state. His family abandoned him shortly thereafter. His father took him to a local fair and told him to “wait right here until I come back.” He never came back and Zhong Wei was taken to live in the orphanage.

The second boy’s name was Zhong Hua. He was a wonderful singer, but he was a dwarf.  Zhong Hua lbecame fast friends with little Zhong Wei. When Zhong Hua’s musical talent became apparent, he was whisked off to a state school in the big city to prepare for a musical career.

When Zhong Hua left, Zhong Wei was so distraught that he tried to run away from the orphanage. He made it as far as the bus station. But he was only a little boy with twisted legs. He was soon discovered and brought back. He had nowhere else to go anyway.

The third boy was Zhong Da. He too had been abandoned and lived in the orphanage. Zhong Da and Zhong Wei were best friends. Zhong Wei took the younger boy under his wing and taught him to tie his shoes and to tell time. They often walked to school together, but because Zhong Wei walked slowly, he and his friend were often late and were punished together for their tardiness.

In 1999, the friends were parted as Zhong Da went home to a new family in America. When Zhong Da spoke of his old friend, he told his mother how Zhong Wei had run away when Zhong Hua was sent to the music school. “He ran away because Zhong Hua was his friend,” he said. Then Zhong Da thought it over for a moment. “Maybe he ran away when I left, too.  I was his last friend.”

NOTE:  The drawings here were done for us by Danica Cho

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PART II - "Brief Reunion"

In 2004, Zhong Da (MIchael) and his mother returned to China.  Part of the trip was a visit to the orphanage where Zhong Wei still lived. Below  are the words of Zhong Da's mother as she tells of their encounter with the orphanage director and their brief reunion with Zhong Wei.

"Our orphanage visit got off to a shaky start.  The director came to our hotel the evening before we would actually go to the orphanage.  She told us in no uncertain terms that we would not be allowed to see Zhong Wei.  Her reasons for this kept changing as we talked, but her resolve was constant. Even though we were seriously disappointed, we knew that we would only make things worse by arguing with her.  Our interpreter, Pony Hu, was most helpful in this late-night negotiation.

"The next morning, we were both kind of down.  We felt unwelcome at the orphanage and were sad that we would not be able to see Zhong Wei.  Michael stuffed his gift for Zhong Wei in his jeans pocket.  I told him to take it along.  “If you get a chance, you’ll be ready to give it to him,” I said.  But neither of us held a lot of hope.

"We drove to the orphanage without saying much.  The director took us around the grounds and had a number of older girls stand with Michael for pictures.  She showed us several photos of Zhong Da and his sister  when they lived there and I was able to photograph these.  She treated us to a big sack of lychees and was a charming all-around hostess.  But when I asked about Zhong Wei, she said that we would not be able to see him.

"As we were leaving the orphanage to go to a formal luncheon, our guide Pony suddenly called out “Michael, run!”  She had spotted Zhong Wei on the other side of the street.  She and Michael were at his side before any of the rest of us knew what happened. Pony was talking a mile a minute in two languages.  “Zhong Wei, here is your old friend Zhong Da who has come to see you from the United States.  What do you want to say to him?”  “Michael, give him the watch!”  “Zhong Wei, Zhong Da has a gift for you.  It’s a watch.  Take it quick!”  I was able to greet Zhong Wei and take a couple of photos of the boys before Madame Director reached us.  She was quick to put a stop to Pony’s intervention.  'No talking! No translation! It is not possible!.'  She pushed Zhong Wei across the street back toward the orphanage and we proceeded to lunch without further comment."

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PART III - "It All Comes Together"

Soon after their return, Zhong Da's mother learned that the orphange director had been removed from her post.  Access to Zhong Wei was no longer a problem.  CHI's Chicago Office sponsored an Adoption Holiday Gala to raise money  to pay for surgery for Zhong Wei.  CHI friends and families contributed over $20,000 to cover Zhong Wei's medical expenses and physical therapy. 

The CHI Foundation was able to bring him to Beijing where he had successful surgery in December of 2004.  The doctor said that if Zhong Wei  had not had this surgery now, he would be paralyzed very soon.

After he left the hospital, Zhong Wei went to live in Beijing with Pastor Jim and Carla Hester.  He will continue his recovery there with them until they return to the United States this March.  Then Zhong Wei will stay with a special foster family and continue his education in Beijing.

Below is  part of a letter that Zhong Da's family recently received from Zhong Wei.

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