Q:

What motivates you to give the children of Chunhui Care Home (CCH) regular haircuts over these years?

A:

I would love to take care of these children and have always remembered to trim their hair when it’s the time.

1. Grateful to CH for transforming the children’s lives
“Hello, kids. I am here to give you haircuts.”

“I brought bread and cookies, for everyone.”

“Hey, boy, your hair has grown so much. It’s time to trim it.”

Fan Zhiwei has been volunteering at Chunhui Care Home for seven years. When he first met the children, he thought they were pitiful and their birth parents that gave them up were hateful. But now, after all these years serving the children, he said: “The children are my friends, and my kids. I am grateful for their parents who handed them over to loving organizations like Chunhui Children. Because of Chunhui, the children have a second chance to blossom.”

2. Fan’s barbershop closes one day for CCH children

Fan is a young man born in the 1980s. He came to Beijing in 2008 and runs a barbershop in Yizhuang, Daxing District. His shop is popular in the neighborhood. But each year right before the Spring Festival when his business booms, he closes his shop for one day and takes all his employees to CCH, where they give the children nice haircuts. “I don’t mind missing one day’s business at all. The children’s happiness matters most.”

3. The life of vulnerable groups is far more heart rending than imagined

With small acts of love,

The children grow and thrive to protect more of their kind

Brought up by his grandparents, Fan is kind to the elderly. From day one, his shop gives them free haircuts. Its popularity keeps growing. One day, Fan received a phone call, which introduced him into a new world. At that moment, it hit him that the life of disadvantaged groups is worrying beyond imagination. 

“The caller told me he was caring for an elderly man with trouble walking and asked if I could provide door-to-door service. Without hesitation, two of my employees and I headed towards his home.

That scene is still fresh on my memory. A 200+ pound aged man paralyzed with long unkempt hair. We pulled him up and worked together to trim his hair,” recalled Fan.  

It occurred to Fan that there must be many many more aged people that suffer from special needs and need door-to-door services. Then he contacted neighborhood committees, offering free haircuts for these people. Thereafter, he has never stopped providing such services.

4. “Couldn’t put these lovely children out of my mind”

Fate is like a bridge

You just need someone to tell you where that bridge is

When Fan recalled the first days he spent with the children

He felt it was awesome, everyone like family

“As fate would have it, one of our customers connects me with the children of CCH. One day in our shop, he saw the photos of us giving the elderly haircuts and asked whether we would like to serve the children with special needs for free. I said ‘sure’ without hesitation. As we agreed, I went to CCH on Children’s day.

The moment I saw the children, I felt sharp pain piercing my heart. For days in a row, I had no appetite at all.

The first time I picked up the scissors, the little ones were frightened and cried bitterly. I wouldn’t have done it without the help of Chunhui mamas. Later on, when we visited CCH, we brought them toys and snacks, and spent sweet time with them. Soon the children opened up to us and we grow increasingly closer.

I was most impressed by a boy without hands. The first time I approached him, he cried so hard that he trembled all over. He didn’t stop crying until we offered him a smart phone. He moved his little arms skillfully on the Parkour game. To help children like him develop self-help skills, Chunhui mamas train them to brush teeth, feed themselves, write and draw with their feet. I know learning is not easy for these special needs children, but believe it will prepare them for an independent life so they have to fight through it,” said Fan.

What’s philanthropy?

“I think it’s a kind of positive energy

It’s as simple as offering help whenever it’s needed. It’s when you see an elderly lady fall down, you walk over and help her to her feet without hesitation, instead of walking away for fear of being wronged as the one who pushed her down.

Over the many years volunteering at Chunhui Children, I have met quite a number of Chunhui mamas and am impressed by their professionalism. They use science-based care and education to help the children. I am so grateful that Chunhui provides these vulnerable children chances and hope for a better future.

I will give these children free haircuts, as always. ”