On the afternoon of May 31st, 2019, the SHSID XingYu student-volunteer team hosted the opening ceremony of an exhibition of artwork created by children from Xingyu Children’s Center in the Annex of the Xian Mian Building. Guests who came to the exhibition included: Ms. Jiang Limin, Principal of Xingyu Children's Center, Ms. Sun Jing, Madam of the Chairman of Intco Recycling Resources and Medical Products Co., Ltd., Ms. Jin Zhe, General Manager of Intco Recycling Resources Co., Ltd, Ms. Chen Qiong, General Manager of Intco Medical Products Co. Ltd, Ms. Jiang Hongfang, General Manager Assistant of Shanghai Intco Industries Co., Ltd., SHSID High School Principal Mr. Ma Feng, High School Director of Grade 11-12 Ms. Liu Qin, Head Teacher of Grade 11 Ms. Gu Ying, as well as students, parents, and teachers of both Xingyu Children’s Center and SHSID.

Xingyu Children’s Center is the first public social welfare organization in Shanghai that serves to help children with autism and other developmental disorders. Since 2003, it has helped nearly 2000 autistic children improve their autonomy and enter community schools. In 2018, the SHSID Xingyu volunteers held their first charity exhibition, introducing the Xingyu children’s creative paintings to the SHSID campus and allowing the children’s creativity to be appreciated by a wider audience. Following last year’s success, the Xingyu volunteers expanded and further innovated the exhibition. They hope that through this year’s artwork exhibition, more people will understand and care for these children. In coming to see and appreciate their paintings, onlookers can gaze into the inner world of these children and feel their pure and kind hearts.

At 13:30 p.m., the opening ceremony, which was hosted by 11(1) Linda Lam, began with warm applause. First, Principal Jiang Limin of Xingyu Children's Center delivered an appreciation speech. Then, Ms. Jin Zhe, General Manager of Intco Recycling Resources Co., gave a speech and made a donation to Xingyu on behalf of Intco. Intco provided all frames and reels for the exhibition and also printed all of the artwork albums. At the end of Ms. Jin Zhe's speech, everyone applauded to express their sincerest thanks to Intco. Concluding the opening ceremony, SHSID High School Principal, Mr. Ma Feng recalled the scene when the Xingyu volunteers’ team was first established seven years ago. He told students in the audience that the purpose of charitable acts is not to exhibit them to others. Rather, charity work is an expression of an inherent sense of responsibility. That being said, Mr. Ma expressed his enthusiastic expectations for the Xingyu volunteers. He hopes that they may continue spreading their kindness and care through community service and devote their time and effort to every small action.

After the speech, Xingyu volunteers presented an artwork collection album to every guest. As the host announced the formal opening of the exhibition, guests flooded into the art gallery and carefully appreciated each piece of artwork. The creativity and innocence that shone through every piece of artwork truly amazed the guests.

The Xingyu children’s exhibition will last until June 7, 2019. Teachers and students are warmly invited to come view the gallery and glimpse into the inner world of autistic children.

(Written by SHSID Xingyu volunteer team      Edited by 11(1) Alina Zhang       Pictures by 11(1) Simona Yu, 11(8) Tiffany Hung, Liao Hui        Supervised by Gu Ying)