Yesterday we had the pleasure of attending a family picnic sponsored
by our international adoption agency. We were all three very much looking
forward to the event, and it did not disappoint. CJ was excited to meet other
families where the child would be “Asian just like me” while the parents would
be white like Daddy and I. It was very cool because while some of those
children were close to CJ’s age there were also families where the “child” was
now in their thirties.
Some families eat an amount of Korean food and try to introduce
to their child to Korean culture while others do not. It was nice to see the spectrum.
Of course, it is easier for us that for others because of our location close to
an H Mart; living in a large city with a nice sized Korean community nearby.
We met two families that live relatively close that have
boys near CJ’s age. One family the boy is closer to his age, at 5, while the
other family had more in common with mommy and daddy. We exchanged information
and hope to meet with each family again for play dates.
There was an adult adoptee that helped to coordinate the
event. She had come into town to make purchases at H Mart for the event.
Apparently it takes her about an hour to make the trip. Appa and I have offered
to help bring the traditional food next year. We can’t wait to do it again!
Hi Mrs Frig, I wanted to let you know about my campaign: 'The Voices of Korean Adoption'. After reading your blog it seems that our intentions to help, heal and grow together are similar. This campaign is a Kickstarter, and we're about 10 days in. I'd really appreciate a share through your social networks, as well as donations or a featured blog post - whatever you can afford. Details are in the attached/copied press release. Thank you - and thank you for being brave and sharing your story. You save lives.
ReplyDeleteContact: Laura Wachs
206-819-6398
laura_wachs@hotmail.com
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2057364396/the-voices-of-korean-adoption/
‘VOICES OF KOREAN ADOPTION’ PROJECT TO SHOWCASE EXPERIENCE OF ADOPTEES
LOCAL SEATTLEITE TO USE ART TO RAISE FUNDS FOR KOREAN ADOPTEE ORG WHILE REUNITING WITH HER BIOLOGICAL FAMILY
SEATTLE, WA and SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – April 03, 2014 – Laura Wachs, established performance artist and community organizer, is excited to announce ‘The Voices of Korean Adoption’. This powerful art project will raise money to benefit Korean adoption agencies GOAL and KoRoot, through a performance poetry showcase. The showcase will feature poets from around the world who were adopted from Korea.
The art project arose out of Wachs’ own journey to reunite with her biological parents. Wachs is awaiting confirmation from an agency helping her locate and meet them. Meanwhile, she plans to tell the world about the uniquely intricate experience of adoptees through several means: the above-mentioned poetry showcase, a book of poems from Korean adoptees all over the world, a book of poems presenting Wachs’ own journey, and a series of poetry workshops.
“The project presented itself to me,” Wachs remarked. “Once I began talking about my trip to reunite with my biological parents, I was flooded with stories of adoption. To see how prevalent this narrative was made me realize I wanted to bring awareness to it.”
“After running a successful benefit show for the Crisis Clinic of King County this past December to support the field of mental health, I decided I wanted to bring the same sort of healing to the adoptee experience.”
Wachs is running a Kickstarter campaign to support the project. The campaign has thus far raised over 30% of the $10,000 goal, with more than three weeks remaining.
Visit “The Voices of Korean Adoption” on Kickstarter (link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2057364396/the-voices-of-korean-adoption ) to help tell these incredible stories.
To learn more about the heart behind the project, or for additional information about the crowdfunding campaign, contact Laura Wachs at laura_wachs@hotmail.com.
Sincerely,
Laura Wachs
Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering, there is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in
-- Leonard Cohen