From: Sue Adams <sueadams@smsd.org>
Subject: What kids you have!!!!!
To: “Jessie” <xiaojie98@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, July 22, 2011, 5:18 PM

Jessie,

Please forward to parents,

I am truly enjoying working with your children/teenagers. They are the finest group of 4 students that I have been with.  They are mature, thoughtful, charming, and oh so smart!!!!  Ii appreciate this opportunity that you have extended to me.

We will be save traveling back to Xian.  Everyone is looking forward to shopping and relaxing,

You are truly fine parents and a model to others.

If you ever want to get together to process the trip, i.e. what went well, what we could have taught better, make sure we all have exchanged pictures, let me know  Hopefully we can make this trip again!

Sincerely yours,

Sue…

Doug Ahrens June 2011 Kansas City

As some of you know, last month I had the opportunity to go to China and teach English at a school for children of migrant workers.  I went with no expectations and returned laden with wonderful memories of friendship and generosity – and a great desire to help them continue their learning despite almost unbelievable odds.

The children I taught are the sons and daughters of migrant factory workers who come to Beijing to make the stuff we buy at Target or Walmart.  They work for a pittance – the average family income is about $370 a month – or 2400 Chinese Yuan. But that is more than they can make in their home towns or provinces.  So they come – with their families in tow – to live in run down rental properties, sometimes five or six to a room.  But crowded living conditions are not all they face.

Greater Beijing already has a population of around 31 million.  The Chinese government is trying to curb more growth, so they impose taxes and registration fees for newcomers.  Most migrant workers cannot afford this burden and do not register with the authorities.  As a result their children cannot attend public schools.  They can attend private, neighborhood schools – like the one where I volunteered – but these are poorly funded and staffed.

The school where I volunteered is an old structure with 10 small rooms around an enclosed courtyard.  There is no running water and the ‘bathroom’ is a shallow pit in the back of the school.  I had up to 67 kids at one time in a classroom that might be approved for 20 here.  They sat shoulder to shoulder and fights for ‘territory’ were the order of the day, every day.

Despite these obstacles my experience was wonderful.  The children were delightful, full of energy and a longing for learning. I was showered with love and gifts including drawings, little well-used toys, candy and even a linty chicken wing shyly pulled out of a dirty jacked pocket and proudly presented to me.

I asked what they needed most and the answer was swift and sure:  Air conditioning. The kids go all year round and Beijing summers are brutally hot.  I cannot imagine sitting in such close quarters in these smelly little rooms when the temperature hits 100F+

While I was there I …

Feb. 5 2011 Johnson County Community College

The Largest Chinese New Year Celebration in 7 States – organized by KCCAA, KU Confucius Institute, and Edgar Snow Memorial Fund.

Pictures by Jun Zuo
[flagallery gid=24 name=”2011 CNY Yardley Hall Gaga by Jun Zuo”]
[flagallery gid=25 name=”2011 CNY VIP Reception by Jun Zuo”]
[flagallery gid=26 name=”201 CNY Afternoon Activities by Jun Zuo”]

Pictures taken by Scott Song

[flagallery gid=21 name=”2011 CNY VIP Reception – Scott Song”]

[flagallery gid=22 name=”2011 CNY Gala Yardley Hall – Scott Song”]

Pictures taken by Steve Thompson stevethompsonphotography.com

[flagallery gid=18 name=”2011 CNY GEB Auditorium”]
[flagallery gid=19 name=”2011 CNY Carlsen Center”]

[flagallery gid=20 name=”2011 CNY VIP Reception – Steve Thompson”]

[flagallery gid=17 name=”2011 CNY Yardley Hall JCCC – Steve Thompson”]

Pictures taken by Huaiyu Ren

[flagallery gid=23 name=”2011 CNY Yardley Hall H. Ren”]



MEDIA RELEASE by City of Kansas City, MO Mayor’s Office

Mayor Funkhouser to help Kansas City kick off a year of prosperity, health

The Chinese New Year begins the Year of the Rabbit, traditionally associated with prosperity, health and fortune. “The new year brings with it new potential for our community,” Mayor Funkhouser said. “We know from the wisdom of generations, that all the flowers of all of the tomorrows are in the seeds of today. May we all become successful gardeners this year.”

…

[Feb. 6 2010] As many of you know, currently there are two organizations  in the area with almost identical names.  This has caused much confusion.  Feb. 1 2010, the Board of Directors of KCCA proposed a name change to help remove any further confusion.  The reaction and feedback from the public for the proposed name “Kansas City Chinese American Association” (KCCAA) has been very positive and constructive.

Our reasons behind the name change are as follows.

1.  The new name will help create a harmonious environment for the local Chinese community.  Even though it was this board that created the name KCCA three years ago, and it is near and dear to our members’ hearts, the board has decided to give up this highly recognized name to prevent more confusion and conflict.

2.  The new name can better represent our organization’s current and future state.  The new name has broader appeal to individuals, families and organizations.  We would like to welcome everyone including individuals and families who are Chinese from various places, Chinese Americans, families with Chinese children or anyone who love Chinese culture and want to be part of our organization.  Chinese culture has a vast and rich root.  Its inclusiveness reaches beyond Chinese descendants and the culture heritage belongs to the entire world.  Our new name transcends the “Exclusive Chinese Club” image and reaches to the mainstream society.  We also hope the new name and “new” organization will be a catalyst to melting communities and cultures together and building more understanding.  In one or two decades, when the 2nd or 3rd generations of Chinese Americans become community organizers, this name will be even more fitting.

3.  The new name will help us operate more effectively.  With IRS approved  501C (3) status, we believe our new name will have broader appeal to the public for fund raising.  This will help support our charters (charity, education and culture exchange) as well as community services.  Our near and longer term plan includes:

• Organize and improve Chinese New Year Celebration and other Chinese festival activities
• Organize and promote culture exchange  in Kansas City from China and/or other states in the US
• Youth Summer Camp programs both in China and US
• Connect schools in Kansas City area and schools in China (such as sister schools)
• Support Kansas City Friendship School (which we funded and named) in China and other selected schools in the

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Feb.27 All-Star Performance – Embrace China

Hosted by KCCA, co-hosted by KU Confucius Institute and Edgar Snow Memorial Fund, all-star professional group “Embrace China” brings the best Chinese entertainment to Kansas City communities.

Date: Saturday Feb. 27th, 2010

Location: Blue Valley Northwest High School

Ticket: $10 (KCCA member and student), $15 non-member

If you haven’t already, SIGN UP for KCCA membership today and save on your tickets!

www.kcca-ks.org …