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Charity Excursion 2006
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Group photo at a senior center, Hebei Province,
2006 
About twenty senior people aged from sixty to eighty live in a typical
senior center. The living conditions are very low. The elders do not have children and some of
them are disabled. We do the following services for the seniors: Give hair wash
and massage, do foot wash, and distribute gifts of fruits, honey and other foods.
We also offer Chinese medicines, free clinics with volunteers who have medical backgrounds.
Perform singing, dancing and other entertainments.
 US student Spencer doing shoulder massage for a senior, 2006
Spencer’s reflection about his experience at senior center: this past weekend I
had the chance to visit a run down school that was charitably given over to a group
of aging, retired elderly Chinese men. There are many chances in this life when
we are given the opportunity to lend a helping hand to those in need. I was offered
such a chance by Lotus, an event that proved to be one of the most enlightening
and fulfilling experiences yet during my stay here in Beijing. It is rare that we
realize just how lucky we are when compared the destitute living conditions of those
like the men we visited, men with no family or home to call their own. But, the
strength of spirit in these individuals, living in a tight-knit community where
the friends they make will be there for the rest of their lives, touched me deeply.
Never have I felt such complete joy
playing a simple game of balloon volleyball.
It was in this simplicity, surrounded by squalor, that I realized that the important
things in this life is not the environment that surrounds us, but rather the people
we surround ourselves with. I wanted to stay with these men for months, hearing
their stories, understanding their many individual trials and tribulations. In one
day, far away from the bustling streets of Beijing, in a run-down school turned
old person’s home, I realized the power of reaching out to those that just needed
a friend. All these men needed was someone to hold their hand and lend a sympathetic
ear.
I wanted to thank Lotus for giving me such an opportunity, one that I will remember
for the rest of my life. All I did was spend a day with those that needed a little
care, and I came out with memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you Lotus.
 Australian student Thomas Smithurst with a senior.
On a Sunday in late July, I joined a group of fellow Lotus students and Lotus-affiliated
Chinese volunteers for a benevolent excursion. We visited an old people’s home in
Hebei, at a distance not too far from Beijing.
The excursion was great for two reasons: firstly, because of an insight into welfare
conditions in China, which I might now suggest are nothing exceptional. Secondly,
and more importantly, because of feeling the rewards of community service. While
there we helped out with bathing of the elderly men, cleaning of their clothes and
rooms, and by giving them companionship with conversation and games. They were immensely
thankful, and despite broken communication, those of us from abroad seemed to be
accepted as familiars. Not only was this feeling felt in relation to the elderly
men, but the Lotus affiliates seemed willing to extend a genuine bond of friendship
to us as well. It was a tremendous day. I should remember it distinctly for a long
time to come.
 US student Wesley Wong with a senior.
Lotus by the way also makes a point of really teaching you the many facets about
life in China and the Chinese culture. During their weekend excursion trips which
are apart of the program, my best and most memorable experience was their optional
trip to visit a Chinese senior center home in the rural part of China to do volunteer
work. It was by far the most heart warming and life touching experience I have ever
had. That kind of experience is priceless.
 Lotus Educational Foundation has given students the opportunity to truly see the
way other people live and thus expand their minds and increase understanding. They
have done this through providing homestay families as well as charity excursions
to places such as senior homes and orphanages. Participating in both kinds of activities
is still a rarity in China. The majority of foreigners visiting China are wealthy
tourists who will never get a taste of the real, nitty-grittiness of China, or foreign
students who all too easily get sucked into a comfortable lifestyle of living in
dorms or apartments, going to class occasionally, and eating and partying for scarily
low prices. They may leave China after one year without ever sitting down to eat
dinner with a Chinese family or gaining an awareness of how both the government
and non-governmental organizations are addressing poverty issues that still pose
a significant obstacle to the country's rise into the class of developed nations.
Currently, I am living with what you may call a typical middle-class Chinese family.
Besides improving my Chinese language skills, interacting with these people everyday
has given me a more real understanding of China's present social trends and pressures
than I could ever have gained through books and articles. I'm getting a close glimpse
into the way a few out of China's millions live everyday. It's actually a pretty
incredible opportunity. Besides being an observer, I feel that I am a significant
part of my host family's life. I only hope that I can teach them as much about American culture and the way I live my life as they have taught me about Chinese culture
and the way they live their lives.
Since arriving in Beijing, I've participated in two charity events in nearby Hebei
province through the Lotus program. One event was to a senior home, and was specifically
open to all students in the Lotus program. The other event was to a children's orphanage.
Both volunteer experiences impressed me deeply. I really encourage current and future
Lotus students to make the most out of their time in China and value any opportunities
to understand Chinese people on a deeper level.
Beth Bacon, from USA, joined Lotus 20 weeks fall program in 2006
I have worked many times for seniors in America in many different settings. I was
Co-Director of Arts and Recreation at The Princeton Nursing Home in Princeton New
Jersey for several years and know very well the importance of connecting with the
elderly on many levels. It was particularly important for these seniors in transition
to their new home in a few weeks.
When we first arrived the group we met were a little fearful of foreigners coming into their home, and the initial meeting was a little confusing to them. The Lotus
Staff, gently convinced the group of five men that it was ok for us to be there
visiting. And after just about a half an hour, they were enjoying shoulder massages,
conversations in Chinese with Chinese Language students, and even had their feet
washed, with much trepidation on their part.
We ate bao zi (vegetable stuffed rolls) from large wooden crates that were actually
steam trays. Quite an interesting sight!
A group that also attended helped them with their physicals and they were later
given a little show of skits and stories by the foreigners and visiting Beijing
volunteers. I performed tai chi with my recorded music which is mainly famous Chinese
poetry set to my compositions; others recited classical Chinese poetry or sang popular
folk songs. Even the little children who attended became "hams" for the elderly
group.
 After our goodbyes, we later ate a vegetarian dinner in downtown Beijing. We all reminisced
about the day and it's affect on us personally. I've found it is important to do
this kind of work for society at large, and it was pleasing to see the positive
affect we had on the elders that day, from very confused to accepting and grateful
for our conversations and help and gifts as well as important necessities that were
given. Of course if everyone in the world could do this, did this kind of giving
on occasion, we would see a much brighter future! Thanks girls!
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Copyright © 2002-2008 Lotus Educational Foundation All rights reserved
Lotus Educational Foundation
1173-D South De Anza Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95129, USA
Tel: 1(408) 996 1929
Beijing Office: 86-10-8287 2866
Email:info@lotuseducation.org inquiry@homestay.com.cn |
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