In Huazhaobi Community, Yingmen Street, Jinniu District, there is a "special" volunteer team - "Le" Mother Seedling Care Volunteer Service Team, who actively participate in community public welfare undertakings in addition to work and life, help children with special difficulties get out of the predicament, and convey warmth with love. Qin Chunmei is one of them, as a resident in the area under the jurisdiction of the camp gate, she now has another identity - "volunteer mother".
"This is the Xinhua dictionary, calligraphy and oral arithmetic book I bought for Xiaocheng (pseudonym)." Qin Chunmei said with a smile, pointing to the photo.
Xiaocheng is a 14-year-old orphan living in SOS Children's Village, and the changes in his family have made his already introverted even more reticent. When he first arrived at SOS Children's Villages, his first step was to integrate into society and join the school's "big family". Xiaocheng, who has never been to school, is unknown and fearful in the face of everything, and at this time, Qin Chunmei became his "accompanying mother".
The scene of accompanying Xiaocheng to school on the first day, Qin Chunmei still remembers it vividly. It was Friday, just after 7 o'clock in the morning, and Xiaocheng waited for the arrival of the "accompanying mother" at the entrance of SOS Children's Village, waiting for the start of his new life. From only half a day in the first week, to a full day in the second week, without extended classes, and then to go to school with SOS Children's Villages classmates, he gradually adapted to the new environment and opened his heart step by step. Every day when she was a "volunteer mother", Qin Chunmei accompanied Xiaocheng to and from school rain or shine, chatted with him, interacted with his classmates, contacted his teachers, joined the reading group, communicated with the director, and bought school supplies for him. "For me, it's about treating him as my own child, and I will praise him for what he does well, and criticize him for what he doesn't do well, and guide him to develop in a better direction."
Talking about Xiao Cheng's changes in a month, Qin Chunmei sighed: "His changes are too great!" "From not having contact with the outside world and not communicating with anyone, to now taking the initiative to play with classmates, saying goodbye to teachers after school, talking about everything with "volunteer mothers", and even joking. The psychiatrist also said that he had changed a lot, and he slowly opened up himself while gradually building feelings with the people around him. On International Women's Day, Xiaocheng also made a small request to Qin Chunmei - to buy a bouquet of flowers. After careful inquiry, I learned that Xiaocheng wanted to send a bouquet of flowers to Aunt Liu, who was cooking in SOS Children's Village, and Aunt Liu took good care of Xiaocheng on weekdays, and would add an extra egg to him from time to time. In this regard, Qin Chunmei felt very gratified, surprised that he took the initiative to express his feelings, revealed his heart, and surprised that he knew how to be grateful and giving.
According to the staff of Huazhaobi community, the "Le" Mother Seedling Care Volunteer Service Team was established in early 2023 and now has more than 20 members, who focus on orphans, de facto unsupported children, seriously ill and disabled children and other children facing multiple difficulties in survival and development, and carefully care for the growth of children.
Although the starlight is weak, it is so small that it is far away. One volunteer said, "Although my strength alone is small, as long as the energy of our entire service team can add a little light to the children's way forward, then our efforts will not be in vain." It is also in the bits and pieces of volunteer service that the members of the "Le" Mother Seedling Care Volunteer Service Team deeply understand that volunteer service is not only to help others, but also to help more people, and it is the voice of every team member to help more people as much as they can.
Love is like light, moisturizing silently. The glimmer of light becomes a torch, and the dream of childhood is built. "Volunteer Mother" is not only a companion, but also a collision of hearts and a transmission of love. It is reported that as an international child-friendly community, Huazhaobi Community in Yingmen Street will continue to actively introduce social forces, encourage diversified participation, and support team building, so that every child in the jurisdiction can feel the warmth from the society and grow up under the sun. (Shi Xiu text/photo)