Last day in Shanghai

This morning, we visited Ava's finding spot. I won't go into details since that will be her story to share, not mine. But it was a very difficult sight to see. Sarah tells me about 30 children are abandoned every day in Shanghai. It is illegal, so parents leave no trace of who the child belongs to. Usually, babies are left because they are sick and the parents are scared and/or don't have the means to give them the care they need. China has a one-child policy; but it's not enforced in rural areas. In places like Shanghai, you can have more than one child if you "know somebody" or have money. It used to be that parents only wanted a boy, but Sarah says younger families are more accepting of girls these days. This means the vast majority of the million children in orphanages are sick, have special needs or are older children. The Shanghai Children's Home is unique in that kids can stay there until age 18. Elsewhere, the age is 14 - when you can go out on your own or move to a Social Welfare Institute with older people. Tomorrow, we say goodbye to Sarah. She has taught us so much about Chinese culture and has become a good friend. I will miss her, dearly. Ava is doing very well. We have introduced her to McDonald's french fries and Starbucks blueberry muffins. She is a fan of both and, yes, they taste the same as at home.