Saturday October 15, 2011 – Saturday October 15, 2011

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

NOTE: A separate email will be sent to you with time slot assignment.

To join or renew your KCCAA membership, click here

Please register below (up to 4 people at a time) to attend the KCCAA Passport/Visa Day 2011 at Indian Creek Community Church (12480 South Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062-5617).

1. Fill in your information below accurately especially your phone number and email address.

2. Follow the link http://www.chinaconsulatechicago.org/chn/qzhz/t859818.htm to prepare your paperwork

3. Expect time slot assignment email from KCCAA, and please only come during your time slot

4. Prepare cashier’s check or money order for the consulate office

5. Prepare cash for KCCAA processing fee

6. For documents other than visa, please prepare self-address return envelop with postage

7. For Chinese visa, KCCAA will provide local pick-up at 888 Market, no return envelop is needed

Register…

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.”

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