This is a true work journal by a social worker of Chunhui Village Program. The program connected her with vulnerable children mired in difficulties due to family misfortunes and inadequate care. The story centers on the nine-year-old boy Guangguang. Once brutally abused by his close family, Guangguang was left battered and nearly lost his life. Rescued by the police, he was admitted to a welfare institution. Thanks to the joint efforts of Chunhui Village Program and the institution, the boy embarked on a new life.

The social worker had intended to heal the boy with all her love. Unexpectedly, she herself was also healed along the way. This connection with the boy  stands as the most touching chapter in her journal.

Heal Wounded Hearts with Gentle Care; Nurture Childhood with Loving Support

The most poignant innocence is not the carefree ease of a child raised in comfort. Instead, it is the grit of one who, after going through darkness, despair and indifference, still endeavors to reaching for light . Guangguang is a boy with such grit. Born in October 2017, he is 9 years old. His father is in prison and his mother has been out of contact for years, leaving him without proper guardianship.

Fate has dealt a harsh blow to the boy. He never knew parental love that every child deserves. As a little boy, he was trapped in relentless gloom and subjected to horrific abuse by his birth father, stepfather and stepmother. The ongoing mistreatment ravaged his fragile body and caused permanent disabilities. Medical assessments confirmed severe burns on his limbs and hand compartment syndrome, alongside multiple complications including mild anemia, myocardial injury, liver damage, hypoalbuminemia, coagulation disorders and sinus arrhythmia. While other children at his age enjoyed their carefree days, he shivered in fear and agony, alone in darkness. There was no one to protect him, his childhood knew no sunshine or treats, only countless scars and despair. His life once hung in the balance.

Thankfully, amid despair, a glimmer of light came to him. On 17 June 2024, the police security officers found him critically injured during community outreach and transferred him urgently to a medical university hospital. He was admitted to Hulunbuir Child Welfare Institution on 4 September that year. The care from the institution ended his years of misfortune. The staff strove desperately to pull him back from the brink of death. To repair his injuries, the institution arranged for him to receive specialist treatment in Beijing. Through the lengthy treatment and tough rehabilitation, every member of the team did their utmost to nurture a chance of life for this wounded boy.

Finally, he stepped away from darkness, left his hellish past behind and went into the big loving family of the institution. There, there was no abuse or hurt, only gentle nurturing, patient company and abundant support. Day in and day out, he received consistent responsive care. For the first time, he felt the kindness of the world. Over time, light came back to his eyes, smiles appeared on his face, and his broken young heart found a place to rest.

How blessed I was to step into his little world, when he was being healed by tenderness.

At our first meeting, my heart ached for the little one when I saw his scarred body and the quiet fear deep in his eyes. I understood he had gone through unimaginable pain and harm that no child should ever bear. So from that day forward, I wanted to shower this hurt boy with loving care.

I tried to reach out to him, patiently responding to his every small attempt to connect and read his quiet thoughts. Day by day, I remembered his little preferences, and accepted his occasional anxieties. My consistent presence drove away his lingering fear. I reassured him that he would never be hurt again, and he deserved love as much as every other child.

I had always thought that I was the one healing him. Then I got his handwritten note. His words, simple and unpolished, went straight into my heart.

Every word in his note manifested his purest thoughts. He was grateful for everything I had done for him. I couldn’t believe that a child’s heart could be so pure and clear. He rewarded my every small act of tenderness with wholehearted earnestness. When we reach out to the children, we both are healed.

I soothed his scars from the past; and he eased my weariness with his childlike innocence. I brought light to his dark childhood, and in return, he made each of my days worthwhile.This once forgotten boy finally found light through despair and slowly thrived. He began to embrace the kindness that came to him, and learned to cherish every hard-won moment of love.

I will continue to give him unwavering support, healing his wounds and nurturing his childhood so that he could flourish under boundless love. May every year of his rest life bring him peace and happiness.