Teachers' Day in China: Young educators lend handicapped orphans a helping hand

World
Europe

03:11

China is home to nearly half a million orphaned children, many of whom suffer from birth defects and other disabilities that the country's schools are ill-equipped to accommodate. But for young teachers working in China's welfare homes, finding ways to educate these youngsters is more than just a job. Our reporter Hu Chao visited one, to tell us why.

It's a class on how to recognize rice and millet. These students are orphans in northern China's Shanxi Province. They are studying at this special education school in an orphanage in the capital city of Taiyuan.

Almost all of them are handicapped. Those teaching them say this difficult job is done through a labor of love, and requires a lot of patience.

XUE SILUO, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER TAIYUAN SOCIAL & CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTE "It's very difficult to teach them. In a regular school, it only takes a few words to teach a first grade student how to go to the toilet. But for the kids here, it takes us a whole semester."

27-year-old Xue Siluo came to work here 3 years ago after graduating from college. She's one of 39 teachers working here.

Young as they are, they play a dual role as teacher and parent - sometimes even having to change students' diapers.

XUE SILUO, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER TAIYUAN SOCIAL & CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTE "I never imagined I would do these things. But once I started, I felt a responsibility to continue. I don't know how I will treat my own children in the future. But for the kids here, I'm like a first-time mother, bringing them love."

This special education center was established 3 years ago and now has around 100 students. The curriculum mainly teaches basic knowledge and skills for daily living.

HU CHAO TAIYUAN, SHANXI PROVINCE "Compared to regular schools, teachers here put in much more effort looking after and educating handicapped children. But their income is barely above the local minimum wage, around 2,000 yuan a month. However, many of them say they feel happy working here because while they offer the children love and care, the children give love back to them as well."

XUE SILUO, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER TAIYUAN SOCIAL & CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTE "They often throw themselves into my arms after class and say thank you. They're so sweet and adorable."

Regarding the limited income paid by the local government, Xue says the work itself means much more.

XUE SILUO, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER TAIYUAN SOCIAL & CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTE "This is our first job. This school holds a special meaning for us. It's where our dreams all began. When I see these kids and their smiles, and the days we grow together, I think it's the most beautiful experience of my career."

And Xue believes these orphans also share a hopeful future.

XUE SILUO, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER TAIYUAN SOCIAL & CHILDREN'S WELFARE INSTITUTE "There's a poem written by Lin Qingxuan, which says every flower will eventually blossom, only some might blossom a bit later, but they are all trying hard to grow."

Hu Chao, CGTN, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.