Introduction the the Laurie Family.
We are a family of 5 from Jupiter, Florida.
Back Row - Ryan, Donna and Marissa
Front Row - Lindsay and Kirsten
Donna graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Wheaton College. She then spent 25 years working in Market Research for a variety of companies all over the United States. In that capacity she had the opportunity to develop three different research functions inside three completely different types of companies: a supplier of market research services to major consumer companies, a specialty pet food company and one of the United States' largest electric utilities. This experience in hiring, training and developing people will be a major asset in working with the staff at Eagles' Wings. In addition, Donna is also very skilled in analyzing problems and developing efficient and effective solutions. Her cross-cultural experience, both in the business world as Global Research Manager, and personally through her travels to Africa, Europe and several countries in Asia, and five months spent at Eagles' Wings in 2009, provide a good foundation for handling the cultural challenges of managing Eagles Wings and living in China.
Donna is blessed with one son and three beautiful daughters.
Ryan, 22, is a graduate of Wheaton College (class of '09). He works full-time for an attorney in Oak Park, IL and is attending law school at Kent School of Law at night. Ryan and his fiance, Laura Beckner, are planning an August 6th 2010 wedding. Laura was born in Brussels and raised in France before attending Wheaton, where she and Ryan met. She is the daughter of Americans who are working in former Soviet countries. Ryan has been to China three times and enjoys it very much.
Marissa, 13, is in 8th grade. Marissa was adopted from Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province in 1997 when she was just 8 months old. That first trip to China was truly life changing for all of us. Marissa plays the flute, loves to read and is an active Girl Scout. She really enjoyed helping with the babies in during our previous time in Eagles Wings.
Lindsay, 11 is in 5th grade. Lindsay was adopted right here in Jiaozuo just over 5 years ago. We call Lindsay our soccer freak, as she is a passionate player and wishes soccer season lasted all year. She is also an avid photographer, plays percussion in the band and is a great student . Lindsay participated in mixed martial arts last summer and is looking forward to continuing her training when we get to China. Returning to Jiaozuo in 2008 was a big step for Lindsay, but she handled it all very well and is happy to return.
Kristen, 7, is a 2nd grader. Kristen was adopted in 2003 in Fenyi, Jiangxi Province. Kristen is our little princess and my own personal ray of sunshine. Kristen grew up quite a bit during our stay in Eagles' Wings 2. She learned patience and cooperation and came to love all the babies rather than seeing them as competition for Mom's attention. She is anxious to return to China and is disappointed that our fund raising efforts have delayed our return. She is also hoping to start martial arts training in China.
During our previous time at Eagles' Wings, I was privileged to serve as House Mother in Eagles' Wings 2. What a wonderful and humbling experience! Every single child quickly ingrained themselved into my heart. Although my job description was to oversee the running of the house, for the most part, each home runs quite well under the guidance of the Head Ayi and our Administrative Manager. Clothes are washed, meals are prepared, floors are swept, children are bathed and supplies are ordered. Where I found I could make the difference was in starting the transformation from "house" to "home".
Having adopted two babies and an older child, I have seen first hand the change that happens when a child is given individual attention, loving boundaries, fun, laughter and age-appropriate responsibility. I cannot claim complete victory in five months, but I can say that we made great progress. For the older children I instituted a family games night (with snacks!), increased expectations of how to behave respectfully toward adults and made a start on the concept of helping around the house. The latter was somewhat less well-received than game night.
For the babies, toddlers and younger children, I worked on increasing the amount of holding time and play time that each child received, and particularly tried to model the concept that every child, EVERY child, is deserving of love and attention, but that each child needs to be held and played with according to his or her special needs. Again, I can't say that the few months that I was there resulted in the complete change that I would like, but I know that I made a difference, even a small one, for every child.
So what's next... on June 1st, the COAT (Chinese Orphans Assistance Team) Management Committee accepted and approved my application for the position of Director, China Programs. I am very, very excited and also very humbled by the task ahead. As China Manager, I will have primary responsibility for five foster homes and a school serving 70 special needs orphans and a staff of about 50 Chinese employees and one volunteer from Singapore.
My role will be quite different from when we were in China last year, but my goal will be the same - the ensure that each and every child receives the best possible care each and every day. To achieve that, first, and foremost, I will be leading and training our staff in best practices. We have an amazing and dedicated team in China, and they do an incredible job with minimal direction and training. I hope to be able to bring my considerable years of business and people-development experience to help them grow and reach their full potential. When they are able to do their best, the children will benefit immensely...and that is the ultimate goal.
Next, I will be working on process development and planning, working with the China staff already in place to identify our priorities for improvement and then together find ways to plug the gaps, make sure that all of our eaglets are getting the services that they need and look for ways to stretch our resources without reducing the quality of care.
Finally, I will continue to look for partner organizations who can help us meet the more extensive medical needs of some of our children. I will also be overseeing the educational progress of the children both in the Xi Wang Le Yuan school and in the local public school system.
Daunting? Sure, but I can't think of a more worthwhile way to use the talents that God has given me. I am also praying that God will send more volunteers, particularly to manage the medical and educational aspects of Eagles' Wings. These need not be people who are based in China full time, they just need to have a heart for the orphan and the desire to make a difference by supporting those of us "on the ground".
Oh, and I shouldn't forget that I will continue my "Mom" duties and expand my own household to seven children! I will be piloting our older kids' home which will include my three daughters and four children aged 10, 11, 12 and 13, who have minor special needs and attend school all day. This is a model I hope to replicate as more of our children reach pre-teen age with little chance for adoption. Gaining life skills for success in adulthood, English skills which will greatly enhance employment opportunities and eventual independence for as many young people as possible is the ultimate goal. I can't wait to get started!!
Donna and Family
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