CRI听力：Adoption of Earthquake Orphan

Orphans who lost their parents in Wenchuan earthquake have become the focus for society. Many enthusiastic people are showing their intention to adopt a kid, but ensuring every orphan can be adopted by suitable family will require effort from all sides.

Our reporter Zhou Jing has the story.

According to the Sichuan provincial government, there are a total of 1,016 earthquake orphans whose identities have already been or are being confirmed. After the quake, many people intend to adopt them.

"When I learned from TV that there were many orphans caused by the earthquake, I had already made the decision to adopt one. I hope the child is less than 3 years old."

"I want to adopt a girl between the age of 5 and 10. I will treat her like my biological child."

The adoption law defines an orphan as a minor who is aged under 14 and bereaved of parents. Meanwhile, the adopters should be childless, capable of rearing and educating the child and above 30. Ge Cuiping, a lawyer from the Beijing Qijian Office, explains the procedure of adoption.

"Adopters should hand applications to the local civil affairs department in charge of the district where the child lives. After the department examines and affirms their capacity of being qualified adopters, the adoptive relationship can be established. For orphans aged 10 and older, adopters should ask their permission before applying."

The relatives of the orphans will receive priority of adoption, as growing up in a familiar environment can be beneficial for children. If they cannot afford the upbringing, the child can be adopted by others. However, Dr Zeng Fanlin, who is a psychologist, suggests adoptive parents should make full mental preparations, as the children might have serious psychological problems caused by the earthquake.

"They may have trouble in self-identification. Instable emotions or violent behaviors are another potential problem. All these are due to the psychological trauma caused by the quake. Such trauma can last for decades."

Ms Wen agrees with Dr Zeng's assessment. She lost her parents in the Tangshan earthquake in 1976 and was adopted by a family, so she knows exactly how difficult it can be for children orphaned by the earthquake to integrate into a new family. Drawing on her own experience, she warns people to pay more attention to the way they treat the quake orphans.

"My adoptive parents sometimes hurt me unintentionally and the over-enthusiastic neighbors also caused me pain. I hated when they asked me who saved my life and how my natural parents died. At the same time, I know I owe my adoptive parents a lot. This has been a source of great stress for me."

Mz Wen calls upon people not to adopt orphans on impulse. Ge Cuiling agrees and offers some advices to those who are going to adopt an orphan.(Www.hxen.net)

"They should be very cautious and make sure that they can afford to raise a child, and that they are patient enough to bring up the kids until they are 18 years old. Secondly, both adopters and the children need professional psychological training. They should know how to communicate with one another. The government should visit these families regularly to supervise."

For China Drive, I'm Zhou Jing.