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Dumplings gives orphans taste of Chinese culture
(by K. Darius Amos - January 02, 2008)
East Chinese Restaurant in Hackensack offers six dumplings for $4.25. They come in different varieties — vegetable, pork, fried or steamed.
To an outsider, dumplings are known as the small, delicate and savory pastries popularized by Chinese restaurants. But in the local Chinese culture, the term “dumplings” refers to something more personal and meaningful than just an appetizer.
At the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, Dumplings is a proper noun and the moniker given to a series of playgroups formed for children who have been adopted by Chinese families living in or around the county. Individual playgroups are based on the Chinese culture and are intended to promote the heritage through the use of interactive activities.
The program is an initiative of the Bergen County Academies China Care Club (BCACC), which is comprised of more than 100 high school students. One of the club’s goals is to fund life-saving surgeries for Chinese orphans.
Formed in 2005, the BCACC was one of the first high school China Care clubs in the United States, and membership immediately expanded from single digits in its infancy to more than 50 participants within two months. In its first year, the club raised more than $3,000 to fund a life-saving operation for a 5-month-old boy in China.
By the end of last year, the club had raised more than $5,000 through events such as Academy Idol, the Academies’ version of “American Idol.” Also this year, BCACC helped other high schools, including Ridgewood and Paramus, establish their own China Care clubs, and members even volunteered for two weeks overseas in Beijing.
“It’s great that we donate to the children,” said BCACC President Simon Li, “but to actually help and interact with them in person is priceless. We always wanted to meet the kids that we’re helping.”
The club has gained much attention in the past two years, in part, because of its Dumplings program. The playgroup meets the third Saturday of every month at the Bergen Academies in Hackensack; its next scheduled program is Jan. 19.
“It’s part of the China Care Foundation. We wanted to help the orphans and do something for the community and families with Chinese children,” said Li, who along with former Academies student Vincent Liao founded Dumplings in October 2006.
Parents are encouraged to bring their children, usually between ages 3 and 11 years old, to the playgroup. Adults are given the option to leave their children in the hands of playgroup volunteers or stay and participate in the activities.
“The parents all stick around and get involved,” said Li, a senior at the magnet high school and Paramus resident.
Membership is also not required — Dumplings is a free program and parents and children may attend as their schedule dictates. Attendees might see a donation jar or two, but parents are not obligated to pay for anything. Any funds raised by the China Care Club are given to the China Care Foundation. The foundation uses the donations to offset costs of medical treatment and surgeries for children in Chinese orphanages.
Branching out
Parents were so enthused and receptive of China Care Club and the Dumplings program from children that they approached Li and asked him to teach Chinese language classes to the youngsters. Always willing to volunteer, Li agreed but opted not to use Dumplings time for the lessons.
Instead, Li said, Dumplings children and others meet him every Saturday in Paramus. There, using his father’s vacated-for-the-weekend office, Li provides instruction on how to speak and write in Mandarin.
“Even some of my friends take the classes,” said Li.
Like the BCACC fund-raising efforts and the contribution jars at Dumplings’ events, any money raised or donated during the language classes benefits Chinese orphans.
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