Vanderbilt students use kites to offer link to Chinese culture

For about an hour Sunday afternoon, the sunny silence on Vanderbilt University's Alumni Lawn was broken by the sound of children's laughter.

About a dozen children dodged bemused college students as they chased after the custom-made kites that were darting overhead.

They embodied the kind of joy that transcends language and reaches beyond borders. But the Vanderbilt students who organized the kite-flying event said the playtime offered the children, who are of Chinese descent, a link to their native culture.

Vanderbilt student group Dores to China reaches into the Nashville community to work with Chinese families and American families that adopt children from China.

The group brought several families together Sunday to make and fly kites in honor of the Qingming Festival. Before the kids sat down to decorate their kites, they learned about the festival, during which people fly kites to ward away bad luck.

They host multiple events like this one every year. It's a mission that hits home for many of the students.

Sophomore May Braverman, 20, was adopted by an American family as a baby. But her parents insisted that she take Chinese classes and spend time with adults who grew up in China.

"Having an education in Chinese culture has helped me a lot," she said. "It's really valuable to me because I know it's part of my identity.

"I want to be able to help other families have the same thing."

Mom Alison Williams traveled to China to adopt her 4-year-old daughter, Mia, more than two years ago. They started coming to Dores to China events soon afterward.

"I wanted to continue to expose her to her birth culture," Williams said as giggling children attached tails to their newly made kites.

Across the table from Williams and Mia, 10-year-old Julie Qi painted a butterfly and red koi fish on her kite. Julie was born in the United States, but her family comes from China.

She said events like this one remind her of her family's homeland.

"There's definitely a lot of colors and brightness," she said, reflecting on her visits to China. "Everything is bright and cheery and people do things together and help each other."

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.