Happy Chinese New Year from Sunshine Academy!

Happy New Year from the Sunshine Family

On this special Chinese family holiday, we would like to share stories from two special young ladies who work for Sunshine Academy. Effie and Janet have a determination to live their lives serving orphans and will share their stories below.

Deputy Director of Implementation Effie Ren Follows her Dream

Since my first year at university, I have spent almost all of my weekends at welfare centers with orphans. I found that the more time I’ve spent with these children, the stronger my vision has become. Throughout these years I have been able to pursue my dream of living my life serving these orphans.

Elijah is a thirteen year-old boy with Down’s syndrome. The first time I met him was at a summer camp program where I was volunteering. Years later, I joined Sunshine Academy where I met Elijah again. When I first met him at the summer camp, he wasn’t able to control his emotions well. If anyone touched his things he wouldn’t stop crying. But when I met him again at Sunshine Academy, I was amazed to see the impact that Sunshine Academy has had on his life through communication, learning skills and his emotional management. Elijah is now able to speak many words even long sentences clearly such as “Teacher, I want a red crayon.” He is now happy to share his toys and play with friends. I am looking forward to seeing Elijah learn more with Sunshine as we develop our life skills and vocational training programs!

Senior Project Manager Janet Qin Finds Happiness

In the orphanages, I often ask students what makes them happy. One of my students named Carson amazed me with his answer:

“Sharing my candy with you makes me happy.”

Carson is one boy who always puts his candy on the teachers’ desk to show his love. Whenever Carson sees a teacher who needs help, he will do whatever he can, such as helping them carry heavy boxes.

Children don't have much that they can call their own in the orphanages, but what they do have, many of them, like Carson want to share. These kids’ pure and simple love really encourages me to find more ways to love them and work with teachers to improve their education.