On January 30th 2002, I undertook a visit to the Beijing Children’s Welfare Institute. It was my very first yet an inspirational experience that have not been able to forget. Having been an expatriate for a year and a half almost well integrated into the Chinese way of life, my time here in Beijing has been ripe with beautiful memories and feeling of oneness with the Chinese people. Being a Pakistani further reinforces the feeling as the strong unbreakable ties of friendship between both respective nations have cemented further over the years. Having traveled to several countries in the past, coming to China and feeling welcomed as if it were our home goes to show the hospitality and comradeship is unmatched elsewhere.
When I set out on my visit that morning accompanies by a couple of friends, it was not without much trepidation and uncertainty as to what I was going to find there. At times I feel very strongly that in all the blessing and gifts god has showed upon us tend to lose sight too easily as to how fortunate and blessed we are. Therefore, to visit institutions and visualize how the less privileged sectors of society cope, not only reinforce the drive in us to help others less fortunate but also us to count our blessings. We were met by the director-general: Ms. Wang Chengguang, an extremely dignified and elegant lady, whose aura of calm and poise seemed to be reflected in the walls of the institute.
I was emotionally moved to observe how contented the children appeared. I conjured up a picture of gruesome proportions, and expecting to see hordes of miserable, plighted children resigned their uncertain fates, living in squalor and pitiless conditions. Instead, I saw hope, I heard laughter, and joy reflected on the faces of there children. The team of dedicated staff comprised of doctors, teachers, physiotherapists and skilled personnel who worked with patience and diligence as they coerced and taught the children various skills to prepare them for a life outside the institute.
Babies as young as 4 mouths to two years were held and loved protectively by the several nannies there to care for them. The children ranging from all ages with various disabilities from heart problems to club foot, or multiple sclerosis, were card for and treated though life saving surgery as the original parents of some of these children could not afford the medical expenses, and had no choice but to send their children here. The quality of care and dedication I witnessed that day was reflected on the face of each child and toddler. Innocent faces depicting their own personal tragetaies and complex past. Yet the hope and love with which they were nurtured here was a testimony to the undeniable fact that the Chinese certainly know how to look after their own! I sincerely hope that many institutes as there elsewhere can follow suit.
Shazia Pasha
china.org.cn
