Being Family

The world's largest human migration takes place every Chinese New Year when people travel home to be with their loved ones. But what do you do when you don't have a family; when you live in an institution, and have no-one to visit?

Yulong and several other teenagers moved to the Social Welfare Institute (SWI) from Xining Children’s Home in July, 2014. All had officially come of age, and were no longer eligible to live in a children’s home. These young people will probably spend the rest of their lives in institutional care.

YuLong is slowly losing his sight

Thankfully Christian Action has been invited to participate in their daily lives, so we were able to establish the Bridging Programme which ensures that the high quality care they’ve received as children continues into adulthood. Vocational training is a major focus. This training has been a very rewarding experience for YuLong.

He was born with cerebral palsy and cataracts and came to Xining Children’s home as a toddler. YuLong applies himself diligently to whatever tasks are set before him. He has recently overcome his previous inability to handle beads. At first it was a frustrating task, but he is now quite adept at working with beads.

This Chinese New Year, YuLong will be at the forefront of celebration arrangements. On his initiative the living room will be decorated with traditional Chinese New Year decorations. Cards of appreciation will be written for their care-workers. Because 2015 is the Year of the Goat Yulong will also help to craft the construction of a goat. This will be used later in the day to play ‘Pin the tail on the Goat'.

With the help of Christian Action staff, YuLong's efforts will go a long way towards creating a sense of family within the Institution.

Hopefully, the New Year will bring a realization of YuLong’s dream of visiting Hong Kong. He wants to spend time in a rehabilitation in HK and is curious to see how others with cerebral palsy live. Because he is losing his eyesight, he longs to learn Braille, and to expand his artistic side by learning to paint and to compose music.

Please remember YuLong and his friends this year, especially if you are celebrating Chinese New Year with your own family. You can contribute towards their training and well being by financing the Bridging Programme here.