I would like to share with you on how this event came about and some thoughts from the participation.
The idea was started on Christmas 2008, it was how we could share this joyous season with people who were less fortunate. Due to the lack of time last year, we postponed our plan to this year!
We eventually decided on 广慈儿童福利院. The place is a privately funded orphanage run by 孙金耀院长。 It houses about 30 orphans, mostly age 10 and below, who have physical or mental disabilities. Most were born with deficiencies but there were also cases arising from abuse.
On 2nd Jan 2009, 15 of us set out to visit the children. With the generous support and cash donations from all our wonderful friends, we managed to donate food supplies, stationeries and also Christmas presents for the kids. We performed some songs followed by a story telling session and mingled with the kids after that.
Frankly, I did not know what to expect for this visit. I was feeling a bit apprehensive beforehand, with lots of questions like: “Will the event proceed smoothly? Will interaction be hard due to their disabilities? Will they be unruly and hard to control? Will I be up for this task?” going through my head.
However, upon seeing the smiles and laughter on their little faces, all the time and effort spent on organizing this event was without a doubt worth it! I guess this trip was an eye opener and educational opportunity for us. Here are some of my thoughts and feelings from the participation of the event.
I feel the world we live in nowadays has become practical and materialistic with many people overlooking intangible things which are, if not more, important. What we donated can be considered insignificant but I am confident we did bring the children a lot of happiness and joy (take a look at the photos!). The kids require love and kindness just like any normal person especially so since they lack the love and support of their parents while growing up. I sincerely hope the love and joy we brought along was able to help in whatever little ways to fill the hole in them. Being around them will makes one realize how fortunate we truly are.
Social work has always been an area of interest for me. This event taught me if u really want to make a difference, commitment and self sacrifice is essential. The work has to be consistent and not dependant on mood. This means a lot of sacrifice on personal time and comfort, which is never an easy choice.
The contributions and efforts from this event might be similar to that of a droplet of water in the desert, but given enough time, the droplets might eventually transform into an oasis.
As老子 said: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, 千里之行，始于足下”
This event might not be much, but at least it’s a start =)
Cheers!
Lionel (Singapore)
Frankly, I did not know what to expect for this visit. I was feeling a bit apprehensive beforehand, with lots of questions like: “Will the event proceed smoothly? Will interaction be hard due to their disabilities? Will they be unruly and hard to control? Will I be up for this task?” going through my head.
However, upon seeing the smiles and laughter on their little faces, all the time and effort spent on organizing this event was without a doubt worth it! I guess this trip was an eye opener and educational opportunity for us. Here are some of my thoughts and feelings from the participation of the event.
I feel the world we live in nowadays has become practical and materialistic with many people overlooking intangible things which are, if not more, important. What we donated can be considered insignificant but I am confident we did bring the children a lot of happiness and joy (take a look at the photos!). The kids require love and kindness just like any normal person especially so since they lack the love and support of their parents while growing up. I sincerely hope the love and joy we brought along was able to help in whatever little ways to fill the hole in them. Being around them will makes one realize how fortunate we truly are.
Social work has always been an area of interest for me. This event taught me if u really want to make a difference, commitment and self sacrifice is essential. The work has to be consistent and not dependant on mood. This means a lot of sacrifice on personal time and comfort, which is never an easy choice.
The contributions and efforts from this event might be similar to that of a droplet of water in the desert, but given enough time, the droplets might eventually transform into an oasis.
As老子 said: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, 千里之行，始于足下”
This event might not be much, but at least it’s a start =)
Cheers!
Lionel (Singapore)
More thoughts :
“It’s meaningful to spend my new year with kids that are less fortunate but not less optimistic about life. I’ve learnt more than I would from their cherubic smiles then from my exam books!” -Weibiao (Singapore)-
“It was a very interesting and impressive exprience while visiting the children at the orphanage. Even if they are handicapped, we can still feel their joy and warmth! I hope the time spent with them would be happy moments in their life! i will definitely visit them again next semester!!! Please join us!!! -Christine (France)-
"Having no experience with disabled kids, I was quite nervous before visiting them. Yet when I first saw them, their innocent and welcoming smiles melted my heart. Some are only physically disabled, and thus still hoping for a normal life like us. I feel sympathy for them as they have to go through many operations at such young ages in order to fix their abnormal bodies. It was a meaningful visit to Guang Ci. Let's do what we can do to help them!" -Raine (Malaysia)-
“It was a very interesting and impressive exprience while visiting the children at the orphanage. Even if they are handicapped, we can still feel their joy and warmth! I hope the time spent with them would be happy moments in their life! i will definitely visit them again next semester!!! Please join us!!! -Christine (France)-
"Having no experience with disabled kids, I was quite nervous before visiting them. Yet when I first saw them, their innocent and welcoming smiles melted my heart. Some are only physically disabled, and thus still hoping for a normal life like us. I feel sympathy for them as they have to go through many operations at such young ages in order to fix their abnormal bodies. It was a meaningful visit to Guang Ci. Let's do what we can do to help them!" -Raine (Malaysia)-
"It was a very great day, spending time and playing with those kids. I hope it will continue next time and wish i could do it again" -Ru Yi (France)-
"Learned a lot from the kids about how we should still smile even when the condition is against you, and hopefully we can do more activities like this in the future, there are still more people in need to reach." -Jimmy (Indonesia)-
"That day enriched my idea and moved both my mind and heart. They taught me how to be grateful with what i have in my life. Not complaining and sighin everytime i face problems, because they taught me how to smile from your heart....thank you 小朋友们!" -Lia(Indonesia)
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