Helena's Story - NSLI-Youth Mandarin Group Program - United States  

For more on the NSLI-Youth group's experience in China, click here.

Hi! My name is Helena Manguerra, and during the summer of 2009, I participated in the NSLI-Y Chinese Cultural and Language Immersion Program. For six weeks, I lived with a host family, studied the Chinese language, visited famous Chinese sites, and explored the city and Chinese culture. I participated in so many enriching activities during my stay; I even learned a bit of wushu, paper-cutting, and calligraphy.

One of the most touching experiences I had this summer was the opportunity to visit a disabled children’s center in Shanghai. The opportunity was set up by the Shanghai Xubo organization. After school one day, a few of my classmates and I set out to visit the children’s center. It was raining, so even after thirty minutes of waiting, we were still unable to catch a cab. With the help of one of my classmate’s host family, we planned a route to the center. First, we took a bus, then switched to a subway, and then switched to another bus before finally arriving at the disabled children’s center. We arrived around 5:30, and school had ended at 3:00—what was supposed to be a thirty minute taxi ride ended up being more than a two hour trek! I had to leave right at 6:30, so as we were making our way to the center, I was worried that by the time I got there, I would have to leave almost right away.

At the center, my friends and I were greeted by the volunteers and led to the classroom where we would help the children learn English. As we made our way to the classroom, I was nervous that the children would not like me or would not be able to understand my Chinese. But when I saw the kids, all my fears dissipated. I had read other volunteers’ stories beforehand, and all had said that the kids were bright and clever—I found out first-hand that they were right! The children sat at a low table, doodling as they waited for our arrival. On the walls hung posters and drawings, and a colorful alphabet adorned the front wall. Most intimidating was the large white board at the front of the room. The children turned enthusiastically towards the white board, and my classmates and I took our place at the front.

The hour passed in no time at all; I remember looking at the clock and realizing that 6:30 was approaching too quickly for my liking. I didn’t want to leave the children, who had so cleverly and quickly learned the English we had taught them. I was surprised by how much the children already knew; each child knew the alphabet and could write the letters. Most could even write their own English names and as well as other words! I left the children’s center impressed with the children’s intelligence, motivation, and enthusiasm, but my favorite memories of my time in center are of the children’s laughter and smiles. Despite their disabilities, they were incredibly happy. It was touching to have been part of their happiness, and my only regret was that I could only stay a short while. In the end, the journey to the center and back home took much longer than the time I spent with the children. Yet for another opportunity to visit the children, I would go on another rainy day, trekking through puddles and cramped buses and subways, just for another hour of seeing the brightly smiling children.

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