Different Homes, Different Lives—Ye Xiaohong’s Reflections on Her Daughter Mairui’s Trip to Anhui
Time:
2022-07-15
Every day, we live in bustling cities surrounded by towering skyscrapers. Yet how many of us ever take a moment to think about those children who have been abandoned by fate and live in humble dwellings with nothing but simple bamboo bowls and gourds? From January 16 to 18, 2017, I represented Zhengda Machinery & Electronics Co., Ltd. and traveled to the Wangjiayu Children’s Welfare Institute in Yingshang County, Anhui Province, to deliver charitable donations and pay a visit. Although our trip to Anhui—lasting three days and two nights—was brief, it left a lasting impression.

Every day, we live in bustling cities surrounded by towering skyscrapers. Yet how many of us ever take a moment to think about those children who have been abandoned by fate and live in humble dwellings with nothing but simple bowls and bamboo mats? From January 16 to 18, 2017, I represented Zhengda Machinery & Electronics Co., Ltd. and traveled to the Wangjiayu Children’s Welfare Institute in Yingshang County, Anhui Province, to deliver charitable donations and pay a visit. Though our trip to Anhui—lasting three days and two nights—was brief, it left a lasting impression.
On January 16, four children—Bai Yang (son of Bai Hongbin from Sino-German Automation), Mai Rui'en (daughter of Ye Xiaohong from the Marketing Department), Li Ziling (daughter of Li Yi from Zhengyi Electric), and Peng Zixuan (son of Peng Jinsong from Zhengyi Automation)—traveled together to Anhui without their parents’ company. From the terminal building, they took an airport bus to Baiyun Airport and independently completed all pre-flight procedures, including obtaining boarding passes. Even during the flight itself, no parent accompanied them—these experiences are all part of giving the children valuable opportunities for growth and independence.
At noon on January 17, the four of us took a car to Wangjiayu Children’s Welfare Institute. The journey from the city center to the institute took about three hours. Near the welfare institute, we saw withered yellow wild grasses, decaying fallen leaves, and dry, cracked earth everywhere. Upon entering the institute, we noticed that the children with disabilities and orphans were each assigned to one of four separate areas, all enclosed by protective railings—and even the doors were locked. The children could only move freely within their designated areas and weren’t allowed to go to the other three sections. Their daily meals were remarkably simple: steamed buns for breakfast, rice for lunch, and noodles for dinner. Yet most of the children needed assistance to eat, as they couldn’t feed themselves. The institute also had very few beds—only enough for two people to share each bed. There was also a small classroom in the institute, used for teaching the children with disabilities and orphans. However, judging from the thick layer of dust covering the desks and chairs, it hadn’t been used for classes in quite some time. After our tour, Director Wang Jiayu presented each of us four children with a banner, officially recognizing us as “Little Philanthropists.”
On January 18, the four of us needed to take another solo flight back to Guangdong from Anhui. After having lunch, we took a bus to the airport and once again made our way independently back to Baiyun Airport. The four children spontaneously suggested taking the subway from Guangzhou back to Foshan. Without any parental reminders, they remembered to get off at their stop—this, too, was a valuable learning experience.
I’m one of the members of this trip to Anhui, and in just three short days, I’ve witnessed it all. Every child at the welfare home is both unfortunate—and yet fortunate. Abandoned by their parents for various kinds of disabilities, they’ve nonetheless been blessed with a second chance: miraculously surviving death’s grasp, they’ve been taken in by this orphanage for children with disabilities! They’re a group of adorable kids—though their speech isn’t always clear, they’ll still apologize to you when they’ve done something wrong. At first glance, they may seem rather withdrawn, but as soon as you arrive, they’ll greet you with a friendly wave. Even though he often reaches out to grab other kids or seems reluctant to interact with you, he never forgets to wave goodbye with his little hand when you leave, saying, “Bye-bye, everyone!” And although she loves eating so much, when you playfully tease her, she’ll give you a sweet, charming smile!
They are a group of children abandoned by their parents—some as young as just a few months old. Fate has cruelly subjected them to this life: brought into the world only to be cast aside by their own kin, utterly unable to care for themselves. Yet, despite their grim circumstances, they’ve refused to succumb to fate. Under the care of Director Wang, they’re persevering and holding on to life with remarkable resilience!
Fate truly is unfair—it is destined to snatch away from those lovely children the most important thing in life: a complete family. We can sleep in our own beds; we can feed ourselves and eat whatever we want; we can explore the world beyond our doors and go play in all sorts of places. We enjoy an exceptionally good learning environment, where not a single corner feels run-down or dilapidated... But what about them? They don’t even have their own bed—how could they possibly sleep soundly? Their intellectual limitations leave them unable to feed themselves; they don’t realize just how crucial eating is for them. They’re confined to tiny little spaces, able only to glimpse the tiny patch of blue sky above their heads—and nothing more than the concrete floor beneath their feet...
Thinking about this, I realize how incredibly fortunate I am—Heaven has bestowed upon me so many blessings. Therefore, I must cherish them all the more, cherishing everything my parents have given me. Here, I’d like to sincerely say: “Mom and Dad, thank you so much! You’ve worked so hard!”
Their parents are nowhere to be found, yet their innocent smiles touched my heart deeply. A warm surge welled up from the corners of my eyes—a feeling of indescribable emotion!
Our visit to the welfare home truly touched us deeply. Although some of the items we donated may not yet be needed, they nonetheless reflect everyone’s heartfelt compassion. We hope that, as long as we’re alive and able, we can continue to extend our care and love to them, letting them know that society has not abandoned them!
Life comes only once for each of us. As one among the countless beings in this world, now that we’ve been born into it and blessed with such perfection, we should cherish it all the more. Let every thought, every emotion, and every character trait in our lives blossom into a poetic, picturesque meadow in March—forever lush and inexhaustible! On this solitary journey of life, let us sing a passionate and fulfilling song with our very existence, spreading love to every corner of the world! May our lives shine brilliantly!
(Ye Xiaohong’s daughter, Mai Rui’en)
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