Mid-Autumn Festival for children with disabilities

Many meaningful activities and gifts were personally presented by philanthropists, associations, organizations, and the government to disabled children at care and nurturing centers in the city, bringing warm joy as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches.

Deaf children at the Quang Nam Center for Support and Education for the Deaf were delighted to receive gifts. Photo: KHANH LINH

Ten-year-old Le Anh Quan, who was born deaf, hugged his gift in one hand and clutched his star-shaped lantern in the other, a radiant smile on his face. "The lantern is beautiful, I like it very much," the boy said, gesturing with his hands and muttering. Although he couldn't pronounce words clearly, his eyes shone with joy.

Next to Anh Quân, the other children were all excited about their gifts. Some gently squeezed each bag of cookies and candies, as if trying to guess whether the contents were soft or hard before opening them to enjoy. "Today there are so many delicious candies and cookies, I'll take them home to save for my birthday," said 11-year-old Nguyen Thi Dong Nhi, using sign language when asked about her "plans" for the gifts she received.

Le Anh Quan and Nguyen Thi Dong Nhi are two of the 28 hearing-impaired students currently studying at the Quang Nam Center for Support and Education for Hearing-Impaired Children (Dien Ban Dong Ward). Although they cannot hear clearly, each child seemed overwhelmed with emotion on the morning of September 30th when they received gifts.

From a small class specializing in teaching hearing-impaired children founded by Ms. Maire McCain (Australia) in 2008, the facility has developed into the Quang Nam Center for Support and Education for Hearing-Impaired Children (2020), which receives, manages, cares for, educates, and provides vocational guidance to hearing-impaired children in Hoi An city, Duy Xuyen district, and the eastern communes and wards of the former Dien Ban town.

Besides receiving gifts, hearing-impaired children also participated in painting on pebbles. Photo: KHANH LINH

The center is currently providing tutoring and career guidance to 28 children aged 9 to 16. They are divided into groups with appropriate educational programs; many of them have been with the center for nearly 10 years, and some, after improving their hearing and speech, have been sent to primary schools and integrated with other children.

Ms. Dong Thi Nhu Lien, Director of the Center for Support and Education for Deaf Children in Quang Nam, said that during each Mid-Autumn Festival, teachers introduce the children to activities such as lion dances and receiving gifts, so the class eagerly awaits them. A small cake and a simple lantern are enough to make the children happy all day. The Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a celebration of the full moon, but also a day for deaf children to feel the care, love, and full integration into the community.

Ms. Le Thi Anh, owner of Le Anh Bakery, who donated Mid-Autumn Festival gifts to disabled children at the Quang Nam Center for Support and Education for the Hearing Impaired, expressed that to bring joy to the children, she had spent her own money several days prior to buying ingredients to bake cakes, and also bought candy and star-shaped lanterns to wrap into pretty gift bags.

On the morning of September 30th, the children not only received gifts but also participated in several meaningful fun activities such as learning how to assemble mooncake boxes, drawing, writing, and making wishes on pebbles… creating a joyful atmosphere for the hearing-impaired children.

Deaf children at the Quang Nam Center for Support and Education for the Deaf are delighted to receive Mid-Autumn Festival gifts. Photo: KHANH LINH

“Although the gifts are simple, we want to show our companionship and sharing, so that the children feel they are not forgotten during special holidays like the Mid-Autumn Festival. I am truly happy to see them so joyful. Even though they cannot speak like normal children, their eyes and tight hugs say it all,” Ms. Le Anh shared.

Caring for children with disabilities is not only the responsibility of the state but is increasingly attracting compassionate hearts and community connections to compensate for the disadvantages faced by these less fortunate individuals. At the Quang Nam Social Protection Center (Hoi An Dong ward), which is currently caring for 12 disabled, orphaned, and homeless children, almost every Mid-Autumn Festival sees many individuals and organizations visiting and donating gifts.

According to Mr. Nguyen Duc Lien, Deputy Director of the center, this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, in addition to organizing a trip for children to have fun at Funny Land Hoi An, the center will also welcome many groups of students, government agencies, and organizations to visit, interact, and give gifts.

Specifically, on October 4th, the Song Han Construction Team from Da Nang will be organizing a cultural performance, lion dance, and donating 100 gifts to children and elderly people being cared for at the center, so everyone is eagerly awaiting it.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/trung-thu-cho-tre-em-khuyet-tat-3305180.html