China Adoption Photo Essay, by Donna Scholl Photography

Journeys of the Heart: A Chinese Adoption Journal
Part Two

Seven families from all over the U.S. were on board this 7-day adoption trip, sponsored by Journeys of the Heart Adoption Services in Hillsboro, OR, one of many U.S.-based adoption agencies with alliances in China. After corresponding for months via phone, fax, and email, the adoptive parents finally met up at San Francisco International Airport for a journey that would take them by jet plane, bus, and van through the rural villages of southern China where they would meet their adopted daughters.

Ji Xiao Tao sleeps comfortably in the arms of her new adopted mother, Susan Pfohman. Born July 1, 1996 in Huazhou, in western Guangdong Province, baby Xiao was left in front of a regional government office building, presumably where her birth mother believed the infant would be taken in and cared for. By law in China, an effort must be made to locate the birth parents of abandoned children. If after 6 months no parents have been identified, the child may be put up for adoption. Most of the orphaned Chinese babies are adopted between the ages of 6 and 12 months.

Nearing the end of an intense and emotional week, the adopting families gather in one of their hotel rooms to share experiences, offer support, and unwind over pizza delivered from China's first Pizza Hut in Guangzhou.

All photos by Donna M. Scholl © 1997
Continued on page 3>

	Seven families from all over the U.S. were on board this 7-day adoption trip, sponsored by Journeys of the Heart Adoption Services in Hillsboro, OR, one of many U.S.-based adoption agencies with alliances in China. After corresponding for months via phone, fax, and email, the adoptive parents finally met up at San Francisco International Airport for a journey that would take them by jet plane, bus, and van through the rural villages of southern China where they would meet their adopted daughters.
	Ji Xiao Tao sleeps comfortably in the arms of her new adopted mother, Susan Pfohman. Born July 1, 1996 in Huazhou, in western Guangdong Province, baby Xiao was left in front of a regional government office building, presumably where her birth mother believed the infant would be taken in and cared for. By law in China, an effort must be made to locate the birth parents of abandoned children. If after 6 months no parents have been identified, the child may be put up for adoption. Most of the orphaned Chinese babies are adopted between the ages of 6 and 12 months.
	Nearing the end of an intense and emotional week, the adopting families gather in one of their hotel rooms to share experiences, offer support, and unwind over pizza delivered from China's first Pizza Hut in Guangzhou.