Luo Ting is an ordinary girl working with Chunhui Village Program.

Diary of Luo Ting

Saturday

August 28, 2021

I am a 24-year-old girl from Guizhou province. After graduating from university, I have been struggling a lot between returning to my hometown or going to a bigger city for work.
During my university years, I came to realize the importance of social work. In the mountainous regions of Guizhou Province, there are a great number of at-risk children that need loving attention and help.

So, when Chunhui Village Program was launched in Guizhou this year, I thought it was a great opportunity for me to give back to my hometown. And the job Chunhui Children offered was exactly what I was craving for, so applied for it. 

Wednesday

Sept 15, 2021
After some ten days’ training and examination, I got the notice that I was hired. That day I was so excited that I stayed awake the whole night.

I start to work with Chunhui Village Program as a child mentor. This is my first job. In order to get closer to the children and fit in with them, I moved to their neighborhood. I am not experienced, but I am young and approachable. As we have learned from the training, to get everything done, we need to establish a relation with the children and win their trust first. I believe so long as I spend each day with them, caring for them, mentoring them and supporting them, I will win their trust and blend in with them one day. 

Most at-risk children are mired in difficulties. Some of them, with father dead or mother missing, live with their aged grandparents, and they are withdrawn and timid. Some of them, left behind by their parents, struggle to care for themselves and their younger siblings. The first time I paid a home visit, I was shocked by those little vulnerable lives. With no one to depend on, they are hurting and suffering, and even have trouble surviving. I keep asking myself: is there a way I could help them out? Tears don’t work for sure. So, during each of the subsequent home visits, whatever challenges the family faced, I told myself to stay calm and tried to figure out what I could do to help. 

Tuesday
Nov 9, 2021

Maybe because I am young and full of energy, I am popular in the community. The elders take me as their daughter or granddaughter. This gives a big impetus to my work.

To build up the children’ confidence and social skills, the child center delivers activities regularly. I visit the program children and invite them to the center. Their families are all very supportive and receive me with big smiles.

Over time, I became a good friend of many children. Sisi, the girl who lives with her grandma, is a little fan of our activities. On her 10th birthday, I was the only two friends she invited. 

Pinru, a nice girl with depression tendency, brings me some food for breakfast each morning, even though I say to her over and over again: “Thank you, sweetie. You don’t have to bring me the food. I will take care of my breakfast myself.”

Han who lives with her aunt often gifts me with a couple of beautiful leaves on her way back home from school.

Touched by these sweet children, I am determined to grow into their trusted mentor, take them out of their trouble and help their families provide them better care.

Monday
Nov 29, 2021

After school, Sisi often talk to me about her small disagreements with other children, and I would give her some suggestions. After a couple of heart-to-heart talks, she’s learned to solve disagreements successfully, and the name of “Little Miss Luo” gets around quickly among the children.

The girls try to “catch” me at my doorstep or on my way back home from work and then confide their troubles to me.

Jiayin always worries that her mentally impaired younger sister is likely to be scorned or bullied. I decide to involve her sister in our activities as much as possible so as to increase her confidence and help her make friends.

Yu is often dressed in soiled clothing. I will pay more visits to his home and talk to his grandma about the importance of keeping the boy clean.

The teenage boy Xiaolong is aggressive and doesn’t get along with his classmates. I need engage him in appropriate games and help him learn to cooperate and make friends with other children.

I have become part of the neighborhood and nobody views me as an outsider. Like a little sun, I shine and warm each of the at-risk children in the community.

Friday
May 13, 2022

I work with 10 program children. In the past year, I became their friend and then their teacher. Now, more and more of their family members are coming to our center for activities.

I am making a difference to dozens of children and their families, and I believe I will reach out to more in the years ahead.

I’m in no rush because I am in my early 20s and I have plenty of time to grow with the community.

Today, when I walk down the streets of the community, all the people I meet say hi to me. It’s a great pleasure that they recognize me as their “sister”, “close friend”, “daughter”, “granddaughter” and “teacher”.

I am convinced that I can contribute to the community, and help the children and their families out of the woods.

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I am Luo Ting, an ordinary 24-year-old child mentor of Chunhui Village Program.