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UIBE volunteers visit St Joseph's Asylum
2016-03-27 03:41:00

Located in Renqiu County, Cangzhou City, Hebei Province, St Joseph's Asylum for Disabled Children is the home to over 50 disabled children and a staff of nearly 20. On March 26, 2016, 24 international students and 3 Chinese students from UIBE visited the institution to volunteer their services. This visit was organized by UIBE's Volunteers Center for International Students and International Students' Communication and Cooperation Department.

Most children in this institution are physically disabled, however, some have conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, congenital blindness, Down's syndrome and epilepsy. They were abandoned by their parents due to their children's disabilities. The children didn't appear ‘normal', some do not have the ability to move, while others are unable to communicate orally.

Immersed in the sunshine, Dian Dian played basketball in wheelchair with two foreign volunteers. Her legs were very thin and straight. When she caught the basketball, her eyes were filled with happiness.

The asylum is named after St Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. Lead by Catholic Director Hao and the staff members the children learn about Christianity and some become followers. They pray everyday and feel grateful despite of their misfortune. Ya Ya told volunteers that auntie Liu Ying was her favorite one, because auntie Liu fed her and the other children. Staff members here, working for two years or even longer, took care of all daily chores, such as doing the laundry, cooking, feeding, teaching, and rehabilitation training.

In a small canteen, twenty volunteers helping the children to eat lunch in twos or threes. Cha Mei, a volunteer from Vietnam, was feeding a boy with mobility problems. She gently wiped the rice and saliva from his mouth, patted his back and said "slow down" when he ate too much. She touched his head after each successful bite of meal and said "excellent".

In front of the two-story building was a playground which had one rusty trampoline and several faded slides. Some children held the volunteers' hands and stood or sat in a semicircle to watch other volunteers' performance. Wearing gentle and sincere smiles, the volunteers sang songs such as "Doraemon" and "Two Tigers" and danced.

Putting on furry costumes, volunteers retold "Lovely Rabbits", a classical story about three rabbits and one big wolf, in the form of drama. When the music started, all of the children clapped their hands and gave shrieks of delight.

One volunteer Lucy stated that "I don't know their dreams, but my dream is to open an orphanage to take care of children like them. I like being friends with them, because they make me happy when I feel lonely and homesick. Before this visit I always think that I'm lack of care, but now they help me understand what is life.". As for Lucy, this visit was not a gift to these children from volunteers, but an opportunity for volunteers to feel life and warmth.

In the end, volunteers took photos with the children. "I want to sing a song for you", said Lei Lei in a low voice. Standing in the center of the crowd, Lei Lei clapped her hands when she was singing, like a shining star.

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