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Betty Reconnects With Her Chinese Roots By Lisa Bethune | 07/12/2010 [Chinese translation: traditional | simplified] Last week Betty had a once-in-a-lifetime experience, receiving the prestigious Presidential Citizen's Medal at the White House from President Obama himself. This week, she is back to her daily life of being on the go from before sun-up until way after sunset, preparing food, picking up donations, making phone calls, providing access to showers and clean clothes, listening to those in need, and helping them in whatever ways she can. At the end of the day, she scrubs pots and pans and gets ready to do it all again the next day. Betty says that last week's experience has helped her find the missing puzzle piece in her life. Betty was born and raised in China, but as a child during the Cultural Revolution, she was forced to fend for herself on the streets of China for several years, before escaping to Hong Kong, and then on to the United States. For many years she had to push the memories of China from her mind, denying her heritage. But receiving this award has, in a powerful way, helped her reconnect with her roots. While back in Washington D.C., Betty was interviewed by many major Chinese newspapers, which helped her feel reconnected with her homeland. Betty is only the second Chinese American to receive this award. While she was up there with the President, receiving the award, she felt the pride of her fellow Chinese people in her, as well as the support and love of all of the people here in America that have supported her all along her journey. Betty says that when she speaks about her time in China, she doesn't do it to embarrass China. She talks about it because she knows that her experience on the streets of China made her stronger, and it helped give her the compassion and understanding of the homeless that drives her passion today. She knows what deep hunger feels like. She knows how it feels to be shunned by others; stripped of dignity. She brings this understanding to those people she tries to help. Betty is very excited about reconnecting with the people of China. She wants them to know how much she appreciates all of those that want to talk with her, and that have called and emailed. She wishes she spoke better Chinese, so she'd be able to communicate her feelings better. Betty is still in awe that she received this award. "This award", says Betty, "is not about me. It's an award for all of the homeless people, and the donors and volunteers that have helped me help those in need. I am SO grateful to everyone that has helped me!" ~
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About Betty
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