As Christmas is quickly approaching, Youdao Qingpu Center held a Christmas Party for the children from nearby migrant families. Volunteers from an Italian restaurant (Bella Napoli) and The Fun Factory in Shanghai prepared exciting activities and delicate gifts. Seven children came with them to celebrate Christmas with migrant children. Zhuxin Club of Shanghai University of Political Science and volunteers Patty and Hans van Rooster also helped out with the event.
40 migrant children arrived at the center at 1pm. They were divided into two groups to participate in different activities: face painting and Christmas tree crafts. Volunteer Steph painted children’s faces with whatever they wanted, so they soon became their favorite fairies, warriors, and animals. In order not to bore children who were waiting, volunteer Laimei sang with them the Christmas song “I Wish You a Merry Christmas”, and held a singing competition. Their voices cheered up the whole assembly with festal bliss. Under the volunteers’guidance, the group making Christmas tree crafts finished their colorful artwork in no time.
The activities then moved into the second phase: the dancing game. The children’s dances moves mimicked those of volunteer Stephe’s moves. The volunteers also joined in the dance to enjoy the fun.
When children got tired, the volunteers served them with drinks and apple cakes made by the restaurant Bella Napoli.
As the children were eating, Santa Claus suddenly appeared in front of the children with loads of delicate book bags in his sack! Though overwhelmed by excitement, these normally wild children kept good order, stepping forward to receive the gifts from Santa one by one.
In this bleak mid winter, the center’s small activity room was filled with the heat of love!