China
Supporting children with intellectual disabilities
To commemorate Mandela Day and to carry forward Nelson Mandela’s (“Mandela”) legacy, Aspen China partnered with the Consulate General of the Republic of South Africa in Shanghai to support the Shanghai Yinuo Children Health Development Service Center. This Center cares for some 30 children who are inflicted with various intellectual disabilities. These include Down syndrome, developmental delays, learning disabilities, social impairments, emotional disorders, and attention deficits. The team of volunteers were also joined by compassionate individuals from the Asia-Pacific operations of Pigcasso and Unik Art to jointly create a day of creative fun for the children.
South African Consul General in Shanghai, Ms. PJ Tsipa, said, “Nelson Mandela International Day remains rooted in the call Madiba made in 2009 to honour him by working in communities rather than by celebrating his birthday. Mandela Day invites people around the world to interpret Madiba’s legacy in their own way and to honour him by doing voluntary work with a social justice focus within their communities. President Mandela not only wanted all children to feel loved, but he also wanted to give them a better future and a chance to develop their talents. Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.”
Aspen China’s CEO, Mr. Larry Merizalde, highlighted in his speech: “Mandela was South Africa’s first Black president and a great advocate for world peace. Mandela Day is a tribute to his legacy. It is an honor to gather here today to celebrate Mandela Day and Children’s Day. I believe today’s event will be filled with fun and joy, allowing children to feel the warmth and care of society in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. We also hope that through such activities, more people will learn about Mandela’s great deeds and feel the power of peace and love.”
The day was filled with exciting and engaging activities, including interactive games, creative painting sessions, and a dream stage, bringing laughter and joy to the event. Children, along with volunteers, enjoyed the joyful time and gained meaningful experiences on this special day. The entire event was full of positive energy and a warm atmosphere, allowing Mandela’s spirit to take root in the hearts of the children.
Children were immersed in fun and lively interactive games and Pigcasso teachers provided engaging painting lessons, combining education with entertainment.
The dream stage allowed children to showcase their talents, with performances from notable individuals like Wang An, the first “Snail Star” and ” Down syndrome Girl” from the China Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability.
During this Mandela Day public welfare event, Aspen China brought endless joy and deep care to the children and also demonstrated its strong sense of social responsibility and selfless love through concrete actions. This event enriched the children’s extracurricular lives and planted seeds of love and hope in their hearts.
We believe that such public welfare activities will continue to be held, bringing warmth and hope to more children in need and allowing Mandela’s spirit to shine brightly in each of us.
Shanghai Yinuo Children Health Development Service Center was established in May 2018 as a non-profit organization registered with the Yangpu District Civil Affairs Bureau. It has always adhered to the mission of “enabling every child to grow up healthy in body and mind,” providing professional assessments, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and rehabilitation training services for children aged 2-14 with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, developmental delays, learning disabilities, social impairments, emotional disorders, and attention deficits.
Pigcasso is a South African artist, the only pig on the planet that can paint. The Asia-Pacific operations of Pigcasso, represented by Xishi (Shanghai) Cultural Communication Co., Ltd., continue to focus on the relationship between the natural environment, society, and humanity, and are committed to expressing gratitude to nature through unique artistic creations and public welfare actions. Unik Art offers children joyful, rich, and free artistic creation experiences.