Dumplings are the widely known traditional food of Chinese culture. They come in different varieties and assortments to satisfy everybody’s tastes. However, the dumplings that these children taste are more than the food itself. No, the Dumplings that I speak of here embody the entire spectrum of Chinese culture.

Dumplings is a program that teaches young Chinese-American adopted children about the Chinese culture through a series of crafts and fun activities. It is sponsored by China Care, a school run club at the Bergen County Academies, devoted to performing services that benefit the Chinese community intent on spreading awareness about ongoing issues in the country. The program meets at the school on Saturday morning once a month for two hours. Most of the families and their children were found through the FCC also known as Families with Children from China. About 15-20 children participate at each playgroup and their ages range from five to ten. Each meeting has its own special theme varying from Chinese music to holidays such as the Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival. Guest performers from the school sometimes come in to give demonstrations and perform for the children as well.

Dumplings has been successful thus far, and many parents that involve their children are very enthusiastic about the doors this program has opened up to their children. It not only provides an opportunity to teach their children about their origins, but parents are learning about the Chinese culture as well. At the first gathering this year, the children and their parents both learned simple songs in Chinese as well as about traditional Chinese musical instruments.

Lynn and John Bowers, parents of Samantha Bowers, who have attended the program for two years said, “We want her to embrace both Chinese and American culture, and we are so grateful for this opportunity to learn about the culture as well. We believe that Dumplings will help with her identity and she will be able to bond with similar children.”

Dumplings has also proved to be a great network for parents. Adopting a child from another country presents many challenges, and parents appreciate the fact that Dumplings allows them to meet other parents in the same situation as themselves.

“It’s a great idea for the kids around the area to start an early bonding relationship," said Shaida Watson, mother of Maya Watson. "Parents are concerned about finding similar groups of kids. Dumplings brings a group of parents and children with similar interests which is of great value,” 

Many of the adopted children that attend do not even realize that they are learning a great amount about Chinese culture. They get so caught up in the fun and experience of making new friends that they simply enjoy their time during the two hour session.

“My favorite thing to do is making crafts and playing games,” said Nora Capella, a 7-year old, who has attended these Dumplings meeting for three years.

China Care is providing a very unique service, and the club chapter at the Bergen County Academies is the only one with an actively running Dumplings program. Although it may seem small, the Dumplings program will go very far for these adopted children as they start growing up into young and confident Chinese-Americans in the future.