By Olivia Wolf
AsAmNews Intern
From today until September 16th my dad and I will be travelling around China, the country where I was adopted from when I was four months old.
This will be my second time in China and my first time back to Shaoyang, Hunan, my birth city.
I came into this world on February 24th to the best of my knowledge. Soon after, I was found on the doorsteps of a police station with no information about about my family or where I came from.
Today I am 22-years-old, a recent college graduate living in Portland, Oregon. My adoptive American family raised me here as well as in New York, where I have lived a comfortable life with plenty of opportunities to pursue my interests in fitness, writing, and travel.
LATEST STORIES
I am lucky in just about every way.
However, there is one part of my life that has been missing that most non-adoptees take for granted. I have never seen my birth mother’s face. I don’t know if I have blood siblings walking around somewhere. I don’t know if I look more like my father or my mother, or if I look like neither.
The last time I was in China, I was studying Mandarin in Shanghai. My Chinese friend asked me why I would want to find my birth parents. What if they were poor? What if they didn’t meet my expectations?
Part of my reason for wanting to search for my birth family is selfish—it’s to satisfy my own curiosity. I want to know what my real birthday is. I want to know why I went from being Chinese to American.
I would also like to let my birth parents know that I am alive and OK.
I don’t expect to find my family (I already have one anyway). I am even aware of the possibility that they may not have a desire to reach out to me.
However, I know that I need to try to find my birth family at least once before I can make peace with my situation.
I will begin my journey with my dad in Shanghai. We will then take a train to Changsha, Hunan, where we will stay for one night. After that, we will board another train to Shaoyang.
Once in Shaoyang, we will work with an interpreter, visit my orphanage, possibly try to find my foster mother. From there, we’ll see where it goes.
An important issue to consider is that the Shaoyang Welfare Institute was previously accused of baby trafficking. Although it was not convicted, it is something that I need to keep in mind.
I am looking forward to this adventure. While it is a personal trip, I am also excited to explore the cities, see the Great Wall when we leave from Beijing, and have a fun time.
Stay updated to hear more!
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. You can show your support by liking our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/asamnews, following us on Twitter, sharing our stories, interning or joining our staff.
RE: An Adoptee is Returning to China: Hi Olivia I am mother to Shaoyang boy born 2010, We live in Sweden North Euope, We visted Shaoyang 2010 and 2016. I Will follow your blog
So interesting to think about where all the Chinese adoptees have ended up. Thank you for following!
RE:An adoptee is returning to China: Best of luck on your journey. My son is from Changsha and I brought him
Home in October 1998. Thank you for sharing your adventure.
Hope you and your son are well, thank you for your support!
RE:An Adoptee is Returning to China:Following your adventure Olivia!! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Hugs to you & your dad. xo
Happy to do so, thank you for following. Heading to Changsha tomorrow!
re: An adoptee is Returning to China: Olivia, thank you for sharing. I will be leaving 9/13 heading to Beijing and then Xi’an to adopt my son. And I hope and intend to take him back when he is older so that he may find his peace.
RE: An Adoptee Returning to China: Yo, where your blog at? Have you posted more?
Love,
Babs
Hope you are enjoying your trip!