Part 1: 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 legs were left in a twisted state and his family could not provide for medical care. A short while later, his family abandoned him. 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 became fast friends with little Zhong Wei. However, 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. Being a little boy with twisted legs and no money, he was soon discovered and brought back to the orphanage. 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 became 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 pictured were done by Danica Cho
Part 2: A 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 thereand 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 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."
Part 3: 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.
A Letter from Zhong Wei
". . . I had my surgery and after 2 months I feel no pain. I have aphysical therapist. Name is Molly. She teach nurses how to help me. I have some pain when I stretch. I walked bad after my first surgery. I want to walk good. I must work hard, I must get better each day. Uncle Jim says to have discipline. I will try better every day. After I get well I want to stay in Beijing and go to school. I want to learn many things . . . I thank the Lord for Mom and Daddy and everyone love me. Uncle Jim prays with me. Carla pray also. Happy New Year. I love you. I miss you."
Zhong Wei
Summer 2006
Zhong Wei is now 18 years old. He graduated from junior high school and received 409 points in the high school entrance exam. As a result, Zhong Wei was able to enroll in the Department of Computer Science of Beijing Electronic Information School and became a high school student. On August 29th, the school opened and Zhong Wei went to the school with the company of the staff of Children’s Hope. He toured the new school, met new classmates and teachers and settled into his new dorm. He will study 3 years at this high school. Though he still has some difficulties in walking, he can stand and walk after 2 surgeries with the help from Children’s Hope. Zhong Wei studies very hard, and often goes to Children’s Hope Beijing office to volunteer to help us.
An email from Zhong Wei: "Dear Mom: How are you? I am doing ok now. I will study English and all kinds of subjects hard. I am working for CHI as volunteer. I like the computer very much. I want to learn the three dimensional cartoon. I think I will succeed. I will take care of myself very well. Thank you for your help! Could you please tell me about Zhong Da and Zhong Xiao by emails? from your far-away son, David."
Summer 2007
“Dear Mom,
How are you doing now? I’m so sorry for not writing to you in so long. This year I was delegated by my school to give a speech on behalf of the students on teacher’s day, after the school master spoke highly of me. I was also selected as one of the top ten students of XiCheng district in Beijing. […] I’m sorry if you can’t understand everything I’m saying in this email. I will try my best to study English, and I've been meeting more and more foreigners, where I have more chance to practice English.
I really like to make cartoons, and I will study hard in this way. One day want to get a job making cartoons. I also play my guitar better now. I can play almost 50 songs, and I can also sing some songs in English. For example, “Can you Feel the Love Tonight,” “My Heart Will Go On,” “Take me to your heart,” and so on. I will also be participating in an art festival at the end of the year. What it starts, I will send you photos.
I love you Mom. I will keep doing well, and help me say Hello to the rest of your family. I love you all!
Love from China son,
David Zhongwei
December 2007
Like many other young people, Zhong Wei likes to entertain the idea of being a star.
In December, he took first place in a performance contest held in Beijing.
Zong Wei has two dreams now - making cartoons or becoming a famous singer.
