L-R: Christopher, Alexander and cousin Tiffany, then aged 5, frolicking with Daddy in 1-Utama.
A long time ago, I wrote in Inspirations that the most beautiful word in the world is Home. I have not changed since. Home is still that one most fundamental element in life. To some it means a safe haven. To another it may mean a dream house. To most Home is family and loved ones.
It is therefore with great sympathy this morning that I read the story of Li Qifang and his wife, Pu Caiju who lost their 4 year old son to child trafficking, a growing problem in China. After 2 years of heartbreaking search they finally had a breakthrough and located him 2,000 km away from home but just as they were on the verge of bringing their son home, he disappeared. Absolutely heartrending story. The mother is still keeping her child’s toys safe for when he comes home.
On a similar note, here is a most riveting account of the life of a stolen child, Huang Xiu Xiu.
I remember how each time we were on holiday in Malaysia I would get awfully paranoid about keeping a close watch on my kids. One day, when the kids were 5, I was busy setting up an outdoor bbq stove when Christopher came running to me with a stricken look on his face, “Mummy, Alexander is lost!!!”
Alexander had been coming out of our apartment with his aunt and a few other family members when a lift door accidentally closed on him. Though it happened in the relatively secure confines of a condo block in Gohtong, we just about panicked and spreading out, we searched frantically on all 18 floors. Daddy and Auntie LY finally found him alone and frightened outside the lift on one of the upper floors. At the sight of his Daddy, the poor frightened child burst into tears and howled in his father’s arms.
davidpeng said,
February 26, 2006 at 1:02 pm
I live in Shanghai. When out of home, I am used to leaving my 5-years-old daughter a little distance from me, which, I think, will gives her some feeling of independence.
When I was in Chengdu in the spring festival, my friend there warned me that he heard stories about children trafficking thus I should keep my eye on my daughter every second. Once she was out of my sight in bookshop. I was really nervous at the moment and cried for her. She turned out to be in another shelf for her favoriate books.
Tinkerbell said,
February 26, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Hi David, the same happened to my sis in a busy department store. My nephew was then just a two year old toddler, the cutest kid in the world with striking Caucasian features. We always joked that this one would fetch a very high price
That day my sis suddenly realized that he was out of sight. Her blood turned cold and nearly had a heart attack because we knew that child abductions happen in exactly that sort of busy shopping center. She, our Mum and I started calling out for him everywhere. Imagine the huge relief when we finally found him a few minutes later.
I am so glad these things do not happen in safe, peaceful, gloriously boring Australia
goskate said,
March 23, 2007 at 7:38 am
thats a sad story i got lost once when i was little…
i cryied