Stories of orphaned children
In Chunhui Children, we are all connected with the vulnerable children in one way or another and everyone has a loving story to tell about them.
About eight or nine years ago, Chunhui Children’s trainer Xie Wei visited a welfare institution in south China almost every year. In those institutions, she witnessed many children’s transformations and growth.
The following story was shared by Xie.
「A shopping “battle”」
To ensure their safety, the children in welfare institutions have rare opportunities to go outside. But one day, the Chunhui mamas and I decided to take the children out for grocery shopping.
It was thrilling news for the children, and they were so excited that they stayed up late that night. The mamas buzzed around making preparations and even called a meeting to talk about their shopping plans, as if we were going on a long travel. The moment we headed out institution gate, we heard the surprised security guard ask: “Aren’t you going back?”
On our way to the supermarket, we gave each child 10¥, told them to pick the goods they could afford and reminded them to stay polite.
In the supermarket, some of the children walked around in twos and threes, some used an electric wheelchair independently, and others with trouble walking were snuggled in a shopping cart rolled by their mama.
I had expected the children to rush for what they like and finish shopping at lightening speed, but ten minutes later what happened proved me wrong.
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I saw a boy with Downs’ Syndrome struggle to pick a plastic bag and then scoop lots of mung beans into it. His Chunhui mama asked him: “why do you choose these beans?” “Eat”, he said excitedly, thinking we could take them directly.
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A boy named Kunkun took half a bag of rice and some other children chose refined white sugar.
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Two of the children stayed still at the supermarket’s gate at first. The patient mamas took their hand, led them in and said with a smile: “Take a look around and pick anything you like, will you?” But the minute their mamas stopped, they stopped too as if they were ducklings clinging to a mother duck.
The institution spaces are not enriching enough to help the children develop their full potentials. They also need social acceptance and inclusion that enable them to go outside and explore the larger world.
Then we worked with the institutions to provide more community engagement opportunities and life skill-developing classes for the children. All children could visit the park and cinema regularly. Some older children attended cooking and weaving classes each week. Chunhui Children’s classes are designed to increase the children’s abilities and prepare them for an independent life.
We feel blessed that we have the opportunity to care for so many young tender lives and witness tens of hundreds of Chunhui mamas give them a second chance at childhood.
「What is optimism?」
Optimism is when I took the am2:00 train, propped up the small window on the ceiling and admired the moon. Optimism is when I rushed to catch a plane and carried overweight luggage up and down stairs. I did all of this just to see the children in the institutions.
「What is happiness?」
Happiness is when I learned that a program child with DS was about to be adopted and my heart rate jumped directly to 130. Happiness is when I knew a child broke down the belief that he/she wouldn’t be able to care for himself/herself all his/her life. That was not a miracle; that was his/her potential.
My colleagues and I are all grateful that the high-speed trains we take nowadays are so fast that they could bring us to the children as soon as we wish.
We always believe that all children, whether they are from ordinary families or orphans with special needs, will move towards their dream destinations. Sometimes they maybe a little bit late, but they will finally be there no matter what.