"Mother Next Door" is a volunteer assistance brand project launched by the Shanghai Women's Federation in 2019, through the selection of a group of caring women's federation executive committee members, women volunteers, etc., to carry out "one-to-one" pairing assistance with children without guardianship, through visits, companionship, psychological counseling, emotional comfort, etc., to help children build self-confidence, love life, healthy growth, etc. In Chongming, there are 108 caring "mothers next door", who care for these "other people's children" with kindness, carefulness, tolerance and love in addition to their own work, and pass on the light of love.
Deliver love with your heart
Xiaoyi (pseudonym), a child in Nanxing Village, Miao Town, whose parents divorced when she was a child, her father died of illness a few years ago, and her mother re-established a family in other places. Since then, Xiaoyi, who used to be lively and cheerful, has gradually become taciturn, rebellious and withdrawn. Yu Xian, president of the Nanxing Village Women's Federation, took the initiative to contact Xiaoyi's grandfather and apply to become her "mother next door" after observing these changes in her children during a home visit.
Yu Xian (right) and Xiaoyi
Emotional communication is the cornerstone of a child's development, and in addition to daily WeChat communication and regular weekly home visits, Yu Xian often uses her weekend breaks to encourage and accompany Xiaoyi to participate in various community activities. In life, Yu Xian has always tried his best to care for and care for Xiaoyi. One year, during the typhoon, Xiaoyi's grandfather was sick and hospitalized, leaving Xiaoyi alone at home, worried that Xiaoyi was not safe at home alone, Yu Xian sent her daily necessities under the storm, and told Xiaoyi to pay attention to safety, help her close the doors and windows, and confirm her safety before leaving in the rain.
In terms of studying, Yu Xian also gave Xiaoyi a lot of help. When she encountered problems when filling in the high school entrance examination, she chose to consult Yu Xian as soon as possible. "I looked through a lot of materials and gave suggestions based on the child's situation." Yu Xian said. Under the reasonable advice given by "Yu's mother", the child was admitted to the school of his choice.
However, soon after entering the school, I encountered a difficult situation. You need to apply for a bank card to pay tuition fees for admission, but children under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a guardian, but Xiaoyi's mother has long been married away from home. After understanding the situation, Yu Xian took the initiative to contact the bank to explain the situation, and successfully applied for a bank card for the child in the shortest time and the easiest way.
Warmth and care for growth
Xiaojie (pseudonym) from Xiaoyang Village, Baozhen is a left-behind child, his father died of illness when he was 6 years old, and the family owed a large amount of foreign debts. When Xiaojie was 7 years old, Zhu Li, chairman of the Xiaoyang Village Women's Federation, became his "mother next door".
Julie (left) with Jay
Recalling the scene of becoming a "mother next door", Julie still remembers it vividly. One evening three years ago, they met for the first time at Xiaojie's house, and after entering the door, Julie noticed that a skinny boy was sitting on a small bench watching TV, and the lonely back made Julie's eyes red. Zhu Li gently called the child's name and told him that he would be his "Mother Zhu" in the future, Xiaojie looked at Zhu Li with ignorant and shy eyes, and Zhu Li's heart suddenly became soft. Zhu Li told reporters that through that meeting, she had a responsibility and a lot of concern in her heart.
Before the start of primary school, Zhu Li sent Xiaojie a carefully selected new schoolbag, she said with a smile: "When school started on September 1, 'Mother Zhu' chose a blue schoolbag for you, do you like it?" Xiaojie took the schoolbag, overflowing with joy, and whispered: "I like blue the most." Under Zhu Li's guidance, Xiaojie slowly opened his heart and began to share his interests and preferences with Zhu Li. Before leaving, Xiaojie took the initiative to say for the first time, "'Mother Zhu', goodbye!" ”
Zhu Li tutors Xiaojie in his homework
Xiaojie felt the love of "Mother Zhu", and the two became closer and closer. "'Mother Zhu', I have improved in this exam!" "'Mother Zhu', when are you coming to see me?" …… Xiaojie, who is not good at expression, has become cheerful under Zhu Li's company and care, and he has spoken a lot more than before. Since then, even if she is busy with work, Zhu Li insists on chatting with Xiaojie on the phone every day, always paying attention to the children's learning and living conditions.
Spring goes to winter, time flies. In the past three years of pairing with Xiaojie, Zhu Li's concern is not only reflected in material life, but also helps the child establish a correct world view, outlook on life and values. "Caring for left-behind children is the responsibility and obligation of each of our 'mothers next door', and in the days to come, I will use the greatest patience and love to accompany Xiaojie to grow up, listen to his voice, and let him thrive in a loving environment." Julie said.
There is no end to the "marathon" of love
So far, 108 volunteers in Chongming District have joined the ranks of "mothers next door", pairing up with 108 children who lack guardianship. The "mothers next door" provide protection and support to children in distress through visits, companionship, psychological counseling, emotional comfort, etc., bringing them the warmth and care of the society.
Buying school supplies and clothes for your child, preparing a surprise for your child's birthday, and accompanying your child to various activities...... Over the years, Chongming's "mothers next door" have cared for the children in different ways, and many "mothers next door" will also communicate with the children through telephone, WeChat and other means to comfort them spiritually on days when they don't see each other. In the process of pairing, the "mother next door" constantly transmits positive energy, and strives to make the child form a positive, optimistic, grateful and upward world view, outlook on life, and values.
In order to enhance the emotional communication between the "mother next door" and the paired children, in April this year, the District Women's Federation organized the theme activity of "Follow the 'Mother Next Door' to Study", and 10 "Mother Next Door" from various towns and villages participated in the activity. The "mothers next door" held the children's hands and participated in the 3km orienteering hike together, and completed 8 interesting check-in games through "small hands holding big hands", increasing communication and feeling the comfort and comfort of close contact with nature in running and sweating. On Children's Day, the "mothers next door" also prepared gifts for the children, so that they could reap the blessings and happiness of the festival.
In addition, the Chongming District Women's Federation will also regularly organize and carry out "mother-next-door" training, through course empowerment, communication and interaction, etc., to improve the ability of "mother-next-door" in mental health, family education, legal services, etc., and help left-behind and difficult children solve practical difficulties.
In the future, the Chongming District Women's Federation will continue to build a guardian platform, give full play to the strength of the "mothers next door", improve the level of care, bring warm help to more children in difficulty, and take practical actions to be a good guide for children's growth, guardian of children's rights and interests, and dreamers for children's future.
Reporter: Yang Yichen
Editor: Chen Jinyuan