Chen,Yu-Jou's Volunteer Journal

9/6

Today all the members of Cyberfair went to Class Love to be volunteers. The purpose of being volunteers is to let us understand how to take care of students of Class Love. Although I have been a volunteer, I only had to wipe tables and sweep the floor. This time I take care of mentally or physically disabled children. I am happy that I can help those who need help but afraid that I will hurt those children because of my carelessness. Teacher taught us how to take care of students of Class Love. I take care of Grade Two Class Love and I found that they are cute and innocent. I am looking forward to tomorrow.

9/7

I know a boy whose name is Yu today. When I was wiping his face, he kept laughing. Teacher came to help me and told me that his face is more sensitive than others, so I have to be careful. In addition, he can only walk on his toes because one of his legs is shorter. He also wears orthotics, so it will take a longer time than others to take off shoes. Because I am not familiar with the work, I did not do very well. I hope that I can be more familiar.

9/10

Today I learned how to teach Cheng how to brush teeth and wash the face. First I have to hold his hands and tell him to brush teeth step by step. When washing his face, I have to assist him as well. I understand that their teacher is so tired and hard-working.

9/11

Today I taught Cheng how to brush teeth because he likes to bite his toothbrush. I have to hold his hands to teach him how to brush. In addition, I also have to assist him in washing his face. Later, he knows how to wash the face. I am happy.

9/12

Today I cleaned up tables together with Fu. I am happy to see that he works hard. Then I took him to wash rags and I needed to teach him how to wash the rags by holding his hands. Although I am tired, I am happy.

9/13

Today Mao came to class, so we are busier than before. I needed to help two students to brush teeth and wash the face at a time. After lunch, I have to teach them how to put on the blanket on their body. Then Fu put the blanket on his head and the other students learned what he did. I feel that it seems that they learn bad behaviors more easily than good behaviors.

9/14

Yu didn’t follow what I asked him to do today. He kept running and also stayed in the restroom for a while. When I was wiping his face, he kept laughing. It was hard to help him today.

9/17

I came to classroom earlier. I took care of Chun while he was eating. After eating, I took him to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Then a teacher taught me how to instruct Chun answer questions because Chun is used to choose the answer which occurs in the beginning of the question.

9/18

Because it rained a lot today, I can only wipe their faces. Although I only need to wipe their faces, it cost a lot of time. When I was helping Yu, he was grapping the towel and did not want to let go. Finally, teacher helped us.

9/19

When Chun was brushing teeth, he spat the water in the wrong place. He wet his clothes, so I changed the clothes for him. Teacher said, ‘Chun always wets his clothes while brushing his teeth.’ Then I helped him to wear on clothes.

9/20

 Lee, Shu-Mei and I helped Yu to wash his face today. We spent a few minutes helping her because he didn’t want to let go his towel. They we tried our best to let him loose his hand.

9/21

After we finished helping students of Class Love, teacher asked us to the office on the fifth floor and gave us moon cakes which were made by those students in the morning. I was surprised because I don’t know that they know how to make moon cakes. After I tasted the moon cakes, those moon cakes are really great.

9/26

Today Yu was very well-behaved. When Lee, Shu-Mei and I assisted him in wiping his face, he was so quiet and calm. Teacher also asked him why he is so quiet today. We finished our work smoothly.

9/27

Yu was different from yesterday. He was grapping his towel when I was helping him to wipe his face. He got great strength. Then Lee, Shu-Mei helped me to assist him by holding his body.

9/28

Today is the last day. We did everything as usual. When I saw they fell asleep after lunch, I felt a little sad and didn’t want to say goodbye to them. At this time, teacher saw that we look sad and she told us that we can visit those students sometimes. Because teachers’ word, we smiled.

9/29

Today new volunteers from 4th grade came to learn how to take care of students of Class Love. This is what we called ‘Passing on volunteer work.’ Teacher asked us to the fifth floor and when we arrived, we saw new volunteers sitting in the room already. New volunteers were waiting for us to share experience with them. Every one of us shared our feelings in front of them. New volunteers agreed with what I told to them. Because students of Class Love are all cute and innocent and easy to get along with, we all want to get along with them forever. After sharing my feelings with them, I felt sad and wanted to cry. I hope that I can have a chance to serve them in the future.

Please open your mouth and let me brush your teeth.

 Let me wipe your face.

Let us wash the rag.

We wanted to wipe his face.

 Take off his shoes and orthotics.

Please put on the blanket.

Chen,Yu-Jou's feedback

　　Although I was reluctant to be a volunteer in Class Love, after getting along with students of Class Love, I felt that they are cute and innocent. Now I finished the volunteer work and felt sad because the memories are in my heart. Those students are fragile and innocent, so people said that those students are angels without one wing.

　　During the month, I learned a lot of things. I remember that in the first day they didn’t want to talk to me and interact with me, so I felt unhappy. Now I am familiar with the work and like to do it. Once Yu wet his clothes and teacher helped me to change his clothes. During the month, I have a deeper understanding of those students. If our school did not give us the chance to be volunteers, I think that I never know that those students are great.