Ania's Bat Mitzvah Project

Ania Lewis, adopted from China through Gladney, has been working hard to gather donations for orphanages in China. Below is a letter from Ania explaining her project. We are looking for Gladney families who are traveling to China to complete their adoptions to help Ania deliver her donations. If you are interested in assisting Ania with her project, please be in touch with her parents Bonnie and Greg at blewis@openviewpartners.com and glewis@texasmessaging.com to learn more.

Ania (white shirt) and her friends who have assisted with her project

Hi!

My name is Ania Li Xiang Lewis (Zeng Li Xiang). I was born on December 6, 1998 in Changsha and I met my family on August 16, 1999 at Changsha SW1.

I've just turned 13 and am having my Bat Mitzvah on January 7th. This is a religious service where I become a young adult in the Jewish religion. I've gone through a lot of training which results in a very meaningful religious service (and party!) on January 7th. Also, part of the Bat Mitzvah experience is doing a "Mitzvah Project". A Mitzvah is a charitable act - an act of loving-kindness, a deed of compassion. Many of my classmates are doing volunteer projects but I wanted to do something more meaningful for me so I decided to collect clothes for the little girls at the orphanages.

A few weeks ago we had a big birthday party for all the little girls in the orphanages of China. Everyone brought lots of wonderful gifts for those little girls. I'm now sending these over so that they can enjoy them!

I am very happy and grateful to everyone for my wonderful life here in the U.S. with my loving family. I am hoping to share some of that with others!

Love,

Ania