Happy Chinese New Year!

Thursday, February 19th kicks off a 15-day Chinese New Year celebration. It is regarded as China's most important holiday of the year with about 1/6th of the world joining in the celebration, including many America World families.

(Children in AWAA partner orphanage celebrating “Year of the Sheep”)

2015 is the Year of the Goat (or Year of the Sheep, depending on the translation of the Chinese character “yang”). The traditional celebration includes dinners, parades, dragon dances, red clothing, fireworks, reunions and gift exchanges. It concludes on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival, where red Chinese lanterns are released into the sky.

(Children in AWAA partner orphanage celebrating CNY with dance routine)

If you are an America World family in the process of adopting from China, it is important to note that the CCCWA will be closed February 18-24 to celebrate the holiday.  They will reopen on February 25th.

(Younger children in AWAA partner orphanage singing to celebrate CNY)

If your family is planning to celebrate the Chinese New Year, we would love for you to post a photo or two of your family's celebration on the America World Facebook page/wall.