Seeing my homeland for the first time after adoption

Ji Li Zhen Start Date: Sep 22, 2023 - End Date: Sep 21, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • Guangdong Province, China
  • Vietnam
  • Thailand
  • Laos

My Travel Story

by: Ji Li Zhen Start Date: Sep 22, 2023 - End Date: Sep 21, 2024
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
I choose these destinations because I want to go back to my home country, China. It will be the first time since being abandoned as a baby and adopted. I lived most my life in USA and have no idea about my culture.
 
I lived in an orphanage in China for a year and 2 months. Since I was adopted and brought to the US I have not been back. For a long time I didnt care, and wasn't ready to go back. I was too busy focusing on healing from being severely abused as a little child into my teenage years by my adoptive mother. I am still on this healing journey but have made astonishing progress. And I am very proud of myself.
 
After I got older and went on soul searching journeys I've come around to realize - this is what I care about the most. My birth family and the cultural I was ripped away from. At least that's how it feels. I would feel like a foreigner in my own country.
 
I was abandoned as a baby in China. Police tried to trace my parents but failed. Due to this i dont know my true birth date, birth family, nothing. I just know I am here and I know my purpose. Which is to come back home to myself, which is love. To reclaim all of the parts of me that felt and feel powerless. This journey is one way of reclaiming my power.
 
I want to see my country's nature. I want to learn my culture. All I know is how to eat with chopsticks cause I taught myself and say "nee how". Which i definitely spelled wrong. I want to connect with my people.
 
I heard of this waterfall called "Detian Falls." It borders Vietnam and China. I believe my birth father is from Vietnam. I believe my mother is Chinese. From this waterfall, which is GORGEOUS btw, I want to cross the border into China. My homeland. It's a 5-6 hour hike through a rainforest but it is oh so worth it and means so much to me. I can't even describe it in words..
 
I have been studying the documents the orphanage left me. I was found in a small village called "Wenlou Village" in China. This is where I want to end up after backpacking southeast asia to honor my father's side.
 
Five years ago I took a DNA test and found out I am a mixed Asian! Hlaf southeast and half Chinese. I never knew for majority of my life. I cried. I know this trip will be very transformational for me, like a butterfly. I can feel it in my heart. This is a big journey for me to take. I am finally mentally ready. I just need to get financially ready and this is why I am reaching out to you for help.

With love,
Ji Li
  • Guangdong Province, China
  • Vietnam
  • Thailand
  • Laos