We came to be a volunteer on August 16th . On this day, we spent a little time visiting Jiajing, a social worker who came to work at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped after graduation from college. She takes good care of the children. The following is the content of our interview with Lin Jiajing :
Our interview with Lin Jiajing.
◣1. Why would you come to Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped to work?
At that time I posted my resume in the 104 Job Bank, and it went to Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped. I studied in a catholic high school when I was a teenager. Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped is also a catholic institution. Therefore, I felt great affinity, and wanted to try this job.
◣2. Are you a catholic?
No. Our family background is traditional Taoist. In fact, most teachers here have a Taoist background, and only a few are Catholics. However, since we work here, we still spend every day in accordance with Catholic faith.
◣3. Have your family members ever volunteered at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped?
Yes, they also regularly donate things to the Center.
◣4. Have you encountered any setbacks when you work here?
At the beginning, I didn't know how to interact with them. Over time, I gradually learned how to interact with them. Therefore, when I talk to them, I will slow down my speed of speaking.
◣5. How long have you been working here?
Five years. This is my first job, I will carry on with persistence.
Miss Lin answers our questions with full attention.
◣6. What is the happiest thing to you at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped?
I feel happy every day because the children share with me many things which they feel happy about on each day, even though those things may seem to us just a small thing. However,these are not easy for them to do. From them, we can understand that we are in fact very blessed, and therefore I will feel very happy.
◣7. What is the main content of your work here?
I help them to connect with social resources.
◣8. What things are you most worried about at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped ?
We accept people with physical and mental disabilities who are 0 to 40 years old. However, some people are close to 40, and they will not find a shelter after 40. Their parents are also worried that they may not be able to take good of their children. If we do not accept them, they will have no place to go until the age of 65 when they can be admitted to institutions for the elderly. We may re-file a resolution to the government to extend the age limit. However, this may not be approved by the government. This is the matter that I am more worried about.
We are taking pictures with Miss Lin.
In the interview with Jiajing, I discovered something which we must learn from her. That is her attitude. I feel that we can learn from her to have fun with the children. However, people often have a biased view and preconceived ideas with regards to those children.
At home, some parents often teach their children with the idea that people with disabilities are different from common people. This often leads to people becoming afraid of those with disabilities. In fact these people with disabilities are no different from common persons. It is only that their behavior, actions, and ways of expression are a little different. Their mentality is the same as common persons. Therefore, from now on, don't be afraid of them; instead do show a lot of care to them, and look after them!
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