September 16, 2010

At the conclusion of the 2009-2010 academic year, China Care recognized its most dedicated clubs with the Second Annual Club Awards. The Emory China Care Club won the gold award for Outstanding Mentorship Program. The prize was a field trip to the Atlanta Zoo. Below is an account of their exiciting field trip, as told by Emory China Care Club member, Iris Huang.

On Sunday, September 5, 2010, the Emory China Care Club’s Mentorship Program organized its first mentorship event of the new semester: a field trip to Zoo Atlanta. Thanks to The China Care Foundation, a group of 13 members including mentors, mentees and parents were able to participate in this trip.

Led by experienced tour guide, Millie Powell, the children we mentor were able to walk through the entire zoo, observe many rare animals, and gain a great deal of knowledge about endangered species, natural habitats and geographical regions of the world.

The most exciting part of the trip was when the children got to see the two giant pandas in Zoo Atlanta’s Giant Panda House. Seeing the cute, lovely pandas stretching and climbing around made all the children very excited. They took pictures, laughed at the panda’s funny poses and carefully listened to Millie’s lecture about how the giant panda’s homeland is being destroyed. One of the families who had visited the Panda Base in Chengdu, China, also shared their experience with the children. Upon leaving the panda house, each child got a panda stamp on their hands and bags. Other big hits were the baby giraffe, Komodo dragon and American gorillas.

Emory China Care Club’s Mentorship Program, designed for adopted children living in the Atlanta area, ages nine and older, was started in 2008 by a group of dedicated, passionate volunteers. The children learn about Chinese culture from their mentors, who are all Emory China Care Club members. To learn more about Emory’s club visit the club’s website .

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