Christmas Party at Hong Chi Special School

On Christmas Eve, as is our tradition, a bunch students and staff from our department went to the Hong Chi PineHill Special School in Taipo to organize a Christmas Party for the kids there.  There are two groups of special-need students invited to the party this year. 


One group is at the primary school age, with severe handicaps.  Most cannot walk, and have to sit in specially-designed wheelchairs.  Many have to wear special helmets to protect their heads from banging, because they are prone to get unpredictable epileptic spasms.  Many of them cannot talk, and have little control of their bodies.  Many of them have hands that curl up into tight fists.  Sometimes, if you massage their hands for a while, their hands start to relax.  And they would look at you, trying to tell you that it feels good, that they appreciate it.  


One boy loves to put everything in his mouth, particularly balloons.  A girl does not communicate much, but loves to tap her fingers on a balloon unceasingly.  Another girl also does not say much, but has a very sweet smile.  She loves to just go limp on her helper, and make her helper pick her up, which her helper - my student - is too happy to comply.  They were having a good time! 

The other group is at the secondary school age, with milder handicaps.  For some of them, their mental development are a little behind regular kids.  Some have Down’s Syndrome.

This year we have a special group of helpers - several refugee children and their parents sponsored by Christian Action.  They are accustomed to feeling helpless, dependent on others for food, a place to live, resettlement, dealing with governments.  This time, they have a chance to help others in need, and to have some fun. 

We sang with the kids there, played balloon games with them, gave them gifts, made Christmas cards with them, made them laugh, and tried to them make them feel wanted.

It is really quite a good way to enjoy Christmas.  And something God would like us to do.