Mentally disabled children usually suffer from some kinds of irregularities with brain development, mental issues or even sometimes physical development. For regular people, being able to communicate, develop hand movements or coordination is not hard, but for these children, it takes a lot more effort. Therefore, training them in the skillsets needed for employment and cultivating their social skills for the workplace through specific activities requires help. The volunteers of Beijing Changrui Foundation took on the role as assistant teachers to the children. 

During the day, the volunteers interacted with the children and patiently took one of them, a child called Shitou, through several activities. 

The volunteers noticed that almost all the kids who had difficulty interacting with people had mobile phones and were using WeChat. It seemed like they wanted to communicate and have friends, and so having a companion could help them feel loved and be more sociable.  

What the children needed was not sympathy but help and care. Two special guests were brought along to the event – little volunteers aged only 4 and 10. We believed that as they interacted with the mentally disabled children, they would learn the meaning of philanthropy, equality and friendship from an early age. 

The young volunteer discussed the color of some puppets with one of the mentally disabled children after they had finished painting a snowman together. 

During lunchtime, the mini performance by the mentally disabled children and the volunteers was the highlight of the whole day. The dance performance “Swan Goose” by Ningning won a round of applause from the audience. 

Another of the mentally disabled children, Shitou sang a song “March into a New Era” which lifted everyone’s spirits. At the end of the performance, volunteers and all the children performed sign language “Being Grateful”. 

Although the volunteer event came to an end, our love and philanthropy will continue. Despite being born with physical defects, the children are able to build their own social circles and live like regular people with the help of the volunteers, which made us feel extremely happy. 

The development of basic skills needed for the workplace for mentally disabled children is close to our hearts. With the love of the volunteers, winter was no longer cold!