Wellesley students mentor adopted children of Asian descent in the Greater Boston Area through the Mei Mei Jie Jie Program. Carol Ling ’13 shared her experiences with the organization and her own Mei Mei.
What does Mei Mei Jie Jie do?
The Mei Mei Jie Jie Program started in Fall 2003 as a collaboration between Wellesley College Students of Asian descent and children (ages 8-14) of Asian descent who have been adopted into predominately Caucasian families in the Metro-West area.
The parents of these children have expressed concern about the fact that their daughters have no older Asian figures in their lives. Therefore, this program engages Wellesley students as mentors (“Jie Jie”) for these girls so that they have someone to look up to and also gain a better understanding about their heritage.
Every year, we organize around five group cultural events, for instance, a dumpling making event and Chinese New Year celebration.
Why did you join Mei Mei Jie Jie? How do you feel the org has impacted you?
I joined Mei Mei Jie Jie in my sophomore year, after my summer internship experience working as a student teacher in Hong Kong. From my internship experience, I realize that I enjoy spending time mentoring children.
It is always really fun bonding with younger children, and every time I talk to them, it always reminds me of my childhood memories. I also learn a lot from them, for example, they teach me to look at things from different perspectives.
I am definitely really fortunate to have joined Mei Mei Jie Jie. I am able to bond and become really close with my Mei Mei. She is like my younger sister away from home.
What does Mei Mei Jie Jie hope to accomplish?
We hope that the younger children would have an older Asian figure to look up to as they grow up. They can talk and bond with the Wellesley students, and perhaps even seek advice from them. We also hope that the Jie Jies will have a good time bonding with their Mei Meis.
How can students get involved in Mei Mei Jie Jie?
We recruit new Jie Jies in the beginning of every school year. Students who are interested are asked to fill out a survey, which helps us to match each of them with a Mei Mei.