G11~ Dora Yu

Indeed, after experiencing one and a half years of community service in the Syinlu Social Welfare Foundation, I can actually feel the existence of so many emotionally intertwined feelings which I can hardly describe as they sent me waves of relief and satisfaction all over my consciousness. As long as I can remember, I have never expected myself to even spare my own time doing services that usually don’t give anything back in return just because I have sacrificed my free time for the organization. But what surprises me at last as I look back at the countless times of me sitting down upon the concrete floor, capturing the children’s facial expressions and physical behaviors in order to transform myself into various figures that fit their individual character, I guess I have probably grown to become unconsciously fond of the idea of staying by their sides, anticipating the moment when their lips quickly pursed into a slightly bent curve. That is the most perfect, untrammeled smile I have ever seen in my entire life. 

What actually touches me throughout these years of community service is not just about the fact that I can never get tired of the sound of their constant laughers or the natural expressions of themselves as if telling life stories that represent who they truly are, but the thing that affected me the most from the experiences I had in Syinlu is the sudden realization that I am actually the one being taught by these children. The thing I learned, which I assure that I would never have known about its significance if it was not for Syinlu, is the manifestation of being true to yourself. The way these children naturally exposed themselves to the world as if there is nothing they have to be concerned of and express who they truly are in a sense where they would appear in front of you like glimmering sunshine in a second and reveal their mischievous nature with that mocking smile on their faces all of a sudden is truly spectacular. I envied their innocent nature and natural characteristics because this is what I found myself struggling to do when acknowledging the fact that I am not so certain and assuring about myself anymore whether there is another dark, hypocritical side of me existing on the other side of my face.

Although some of the memories have faded away as time continuously passes, leaving obscure flashbacks before my eyes as they blaze forth and back in silence, the one image that I have always pictured in my mind, craved in memory when I intimately resonate to all the experiences I have gone through in Syinlu over these years is undoubtedly that moving sense of relief and true happiness I felt when seeing all these innocent, everlasting faces gathering in that small, rectangular area of the house. That great sense of pleasure and sweetness never lets me down as it lightens up my day and provides me a short escape from the stressed environment I have been constantly immersed in during daily life.

     G12~ Yanua Moran

Mondays are maybe the worst day of the week, obviously is the day just after a long weekend of leisure and relaxation. Monday for the rest is tedious and tiring but, for me Mondays are the best day of the week. Each Monday I get to spend time doing what I enjoy. From the moment I step at Syinlu and see the faces of all the kids I can’t stop smiling until I get home to sleep. 

I’ve worked before on the area but with a different approach to it. I used to do exercise therapy with special kids but, now sometimes I help at the music therapy or basically play with the children. It’s been an amazing experience to get to have a different approach with the same purpose of helping and motivating the children.

It is because of this experience that I’ve found one of my goals in life, which is helping kids but with animal therapy. By helping them I mean improving their response and providing stimulation for a better living. 

I would suggest that people experience this in life, get to know the way others live, to find out what to other a day looks like. I think putting some energy and investing time on helping does help oneself, making us involved in what really matters instead of wasting time or not caring at all. I believe that caring for others is a really difficult task, you have to be patient, selfless, and pay attention to the needs of the others. To care for others you need the spirit and the willingness. 

I love helping, I love hearing, I love paying attention to others needs. But what I mostly like is the aftermath, after you helped, the genuine smiles and greetings you receive from them. The kindness and humility, their gratitude and love they provide. I feel like making someone happy is the best payment I can receive from helping them. This is what I feel each time I work at Syinlu.

   HIS students accompany kids to do Music therapy class