A Day in the Life of a Volunteer

September 13th, Ulanqab, Sunny

On Saturday, as scheduled, we arrived at the Savannah Project for a fulfilling day of volunteering.

The morning sun cast a gentle golden hue on the courtyard walls, while the wind whispered across the grasslands, greeting us like an old friend.

As I donned my shoe covers at the entrance, I silently hoped that our time together today would be filled with joy and warmth.

Morning

In home of light, several pots of vibrant succulents adorned the windowsill, their thick leaves basking in the sunlight.

Esther sat by the window, and I joined her in practicing writing the numbers 1 to 10. When we reached “2,” she kept wanting to draw it straight, so I guided her to add some curves. For “8,” she creatively formed the upper circle first, then filled in the bottom one. Her unique approach made me chuckle. She was so focused that the tip of her nose turned a rosy shade, as if she were a master artisan at work. 

After helping Esther, Madeline bounced over, her excitement palpable. “Sister, can you play the piano? Can you teach me ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’?” I gladly accepted. She gave it a try, managing to hit two notes, but consistently missing the third. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she grinned. Not discouraged by her attempts at 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' Madeline confidently sang 'A Little Happiness' for me. During the chorus, she took Esther’s hand, and they clapped together. Their joyful performance filled the room with warmth, and I felt the atmosphere brighten around us.

Interval

In the hallway and throughout the home, caregivers were busy attending to the children’s needs. 

Some nannies organized games for spirited little ones, while others read stories to children in wheelchairs. I even witnessed a nanny swiftly sewing a button back onto a child's shirt. From the kitchen, the sounds of chopping vegetables and bubbling noodle soup filled the air. I noticed another nanny wiping down a stack of homework books by the window while helping a child tidy up their toys. It dawned on me that love in this place meant fostering a sense of order and care in everyday life.

Afternoon

Under the bright sun in the playground, laughter echoed across the track.

Irene, Chris, and a few friends were engrossed in a game of basketball, while other children played in the sand, crafting elaborate castles.

The tire swings creaked gently as Madeline, her ponytail swaying, pushed her friends higher and higher. The children ran, jumped, and climbed with abandon, their laughter carried off by the wind.

As I prepared to leave in the evening, the flag fluttered at the entrance, dancing in the breeze. The nursery teacher waved goodbye, saying, “Take care.” One by one, the children bid me farewell, asking, “Sister, will you come tomorrow?” At that moment, I felt as if I had been enveloped in warmth, encouragement, and love throughout the day.

It was a day overflowing with affection and joy. I truly hope to return often...

If you’re interested in learning more about our work and supporting the children, we warmly invite you to join the NDFH sponsorship family.

Xinyingzi Primary School AI Painting Class: Igniting Dreams with Technology

At NDFH, we believe that children deserve more than just immediate assistance; they need the imagination and hope to envision a brighter future.

On the afternoon of September 9th, the children at Xinyingzi Primary School were treated to a unique experience—an AI painting class, made possible by the generosity of volunteers from a compassionate company. For 91 children, this was their first encounter with the fascinating world of AI, as well as their initial experience in a classroom environment designed to "give wings to dreams through technology."

Painting Dreams: Adding Color to Childhood

“What careers do you dream of pursuing in the future?” The teacher's question sparked an immediate response from the children, who eagerly raised their hands. Some expressed their desire to become painters equipped with easels, others aspired to be teachers wielding pointers, and a few wished to be police officers driving patrol cars. The classroom transformed into a vibrant treasure chest, brimming with the dreams of childhood, as everyone immersed themselves in limitless aspirations for the future.

The colored pencils didn’t merely fill the paper with color; they laid the groundwork for their dreams. 

The teacher then distributed professionally prepared cartoons, prompting the children to pick up their crayons and bring their aspirations to life—doctors in crisp white coats, brave police officers, spirited firefighters, and lovable athletes—all painted in rich, vivid colors. 

Indeed, dreams are inherently colorful.

Embracing the Future: Dreams Within Reach

With the children’s excitement heightened, the teacher presented a short film detailing the evolution of AI. The children listened intently, captivated by its journey from inception to its current applications across diverse fields.

What followed was even more remarkable: the teacher utilized AI to generate images of the children’s dream careers—a painter with a sketchpad, a teacher with a pointer, a police officer in uniform. In just ten seconds, their dreams came to life right before their eyes.

At that moment, the present self met the future self.

The concluding segment of the class was astonishing—AI animated the children’s photos, allowing their "present selves" to meet and shake hands with their "future selves." In that instant, dreams felt tangible and within reach.

Love is a Two-Way Journey

Beyond the engaging classroom activities, the volunteers also contributed books, puzzles, and computers to Xinyingzi Primary School, enhancing the school's limited computer lab and addressing its insufficient resources.

Love is indeed a two-way journey. The children secretly prepared small tokens of appreciation for the kind-hearted volunteers who traveled from afar, embodying the sentiment that love is never one-sided.

Building an AI Dream: Illuminating a Path to the Future

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who helped the children envision their futures! A special thank you goes to the volunteers from the caring companies who brought this exciting AI painting class to life and donated computers to support the school’s development.

This AI painting class has sparked a dream of technology in the hearts of these young minds. Through experiences like this, we hope these children don’t just recognize the challenges of today but also the vast possibilities that lie ahead.

When children dare to dream about the future, their lives become illuminated.

You plant the seeds of imagination and courage for tomorrow; you leave behind a legacy of care and hope.

We also encourage more corporate teams to apply their expertise to enrich the lives of these children and help illuminate their dreams.