The World's Most Valuable Software

Our wonderful Special-Education Trainer Cindy Pearson in action at the Xining Children's Rehabilitation Center

When guests from Europe and elsewhere visit the Multi-Sensory room in the Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Xining they say they have never seen anything like it. But Anthony Charter, our Chairman, says, "It's easy to pat ourselves on the back when we look at the hardware we've invested in, but now we need the software so that we can inspire others to empower disabled children." What is this 'software' he's talking about?

Cindy Pearson, who taught Special-Education in the US for 16 years before coming to China, is also proud of the Rehabilitation Centre's state of the art facilities and 'hardware', but it is when she talks about the training of Special-Education trainers - the 'software', that she gets most animated. For example, Cindy returned to Xining on Sunday after holding a Special-Education workshop in Tang Shan and reported :

"In 1976 Tang Shan was struck by an earthquake that killed 255,000 and left 164,000 people seriously injured. The people of Tang Shan built a rehabilitation center but still hunger for hands-on, practical training in how to do rehab! They were also so appreciative that our workshop addressed typical under addressed areas like autism and cerebral palsy that they kept insisting we return!

The same happened when I spoke about the latest practices in Special-Education in the US at a local Teachers University recently. I was told it would be a low-key affair - but after the talk I couldn't get off the stage because questions from students and faculty continued for 2 hours! We had the same thing in August last year when we hosted a Special Ed., Physical Therapy, and Rehab.Centre Management Conference with Jian Hua Foundation, at the Xining Rehabilitation Center. There were 70 people from hospitals, orphanages and rehabilitation centers from all across China and they are still begging us to hold more training at their Centres!"

Stanley Tam, my China Operation's Senior Manager, also understands what our Chairman is talking about, and why CA's Board is so keen to raise funds for 'software'. Stanley has been a Social Worker for 31 years and when he took up his post in Xining five years ago he also supported Qinghai University's fledgling Social Work program as guest lecturer. As a result, the Children's Rehab Centre now enjoys the assistance of social work students doing their internships with us! Isn't it great that we can play a part in exposing Qinghai's future professionals to the needs of disabled children and their parents!

What's more, there are also great benefits for the local people we hire to be Special-Education staff! They are mostly kindergarten teachers and most have never seen a disabled child before. Cindy says they are eager to learn how to move from the theory to the actual hands on work of helping disabled children learn skills like brushing their teeth and going to the toilet by themselves so that they won't suffer the indignity of having someone assist them when they're adults. Cindy says, "Even though it's a hard job, these teachers are very receptive and love the kids and it's great to see the progress they've made since the Rehab Centre opened two-and-a-half years ago."

This is the 'software' our Chairman says we need to invest in. We need more staff so that we can invest in, support and train them. It's saying, "we value you, and we value what you are doing with the children"; "we want to invest in you; give you more education and training, and more opportunities so that you can do your job better, and you can train others to do their job better."

Please pray with and join our Board, Cindy, Stanley and the CA team in the quest to raise 'software' funds: Real people; real training-for real children who really need our help!

God bless you, and thank you for your support.

Comments

[Grace Wong]

Just learnt that Qinhai had earthquake and wonder whether your children home is being affected. If possible, pls provide some more information in later blog messages. May god bless all those people in qinhai and xining.

[Jovi Lam]

Siew Mei,
Read news on Qinghai earthquake earlier. Heart aches due to the devastation and hardship caused to the children there. CA's work is valuable in that region. Please keep up the good work in Qinghai. May CA be a lighthouse of the LORD.

Jovi