Get together with U of T Indigenous students
On January 9th and 16th, Fu Hui held dinner gatherings with the sponsored first and second year master degree students of the Faculty of Social Work of the University of Toronto. Due to the epidemic, we were only able to communicate with students through online meetings over the past two years. This year, the students were able to resume their on site intensive study. We can finally meet and interact with them in person.
Both dinners were held at the Faculty of Social Work student lounge which was convenient for the students. Through the self-introductions, we had a much better understanding of them. Most of the students are female and have experienced various trauma. As mothers or grandmothers, they need to take care of the family and children in addition to work and study, some of them are even active long-term volunteers for the community. With such a heavy workload in their daily life, they still spoke energetically, with a positive, enthusiastic and optimistic attitude. Although they shed tears when they thought of their trauma expereicne, they all showed that they are fighters.
A mother and her son both applied for social work courses, they applied for financial aid together and she was accepted (she laughed out loud on this). After she received financial support, her family's finances improved. Her son is finally admitted to the school as well. She said that she and her son were very lucky. Another student is a grandmother. The course is not easy for her, but in order to set a good example for her grandson, she is determined to persist until graduation. These students overcome barriers, set their own goals in pursuing a degree in social work. Each of them has their own mindset and hope that they can contribute to child education, cultural development, trauma recovery, etc.
We encouraged the students not to be discouraged because Fu Hui will be there to support them in various means. When Fu Hui started out funding programs in Liangshan, we were met with many obstacles and setbacks and many people felt that our efforts were bound to fail. Yet we persisted over sixteen years and helped the students of Liangshan to develop and grow. With persistence, there is always hope!
The Chinese Lunar New Year was approaching, and Fu Hui specifically arranged interactive games to introduce the traditional customs of the Chinese New Year to the students. We explained the usage and meaning of the word "Fu" in the Lunar New Year. We arranged to provide traditional Chinese food which was very popular. We sincerely thank the Faculty of Social Work for the meticulous arrangements! We would also like to thank the support of the renowned Congee Queen Restaurant, downtown branch, for provision of the delicious food, which made the two exchange meetings very auspicious.
The students are also grateful for the opportunity to meet with Fu Hui. One student said: “Thank you for your invitation and sharing Chinese food. I always felt that the sponsors are invisible and simply provide financial support. Your appearance today made me truly feel that I am not alone, that there are people around me who care about me, who cheer for me.” For every sponsored student, Fu Hui not only would like to support them financially to tide over the difficulties, but also will try our best to walk alongside with them.Feeling the warmth and care face to face, Fu Hui also benefits a lot from it. It is always more blessed to give than to receive! Wish everyone in the world has forever love and support from family and friends!