The annual “Ringing in a Happy New Year with Love” Charity Fair finally kicked off on March 28, 2023, at SUIS Qingpu. This year saw the event take place a bit later than usual. However, the kindness of all teachers and students and the charitable actions of parents were, as always, present in abundance.
This year marks the fourth year that SUIS Qingpu has held a charity fair. The event was divided into three sections: a charity bazaar, a ‘fun and free’ dress-up day, and a charity auction. All three embodied the theme of “caring, sharing, and joy”. This theme was demonstrated through acts of kindness, creating hope and warmth.
The Charity Auction: Enthusiasm and Responsibility in the Symphony of Public Welfare
In the morning, a unique auction was held simultaneously online and offline. Up for grabs at the auction were: half-day exclusive use of facilities such as the ping pong hall, badminton court, basketball court, soccer field, library, art salon, ancient scholars house, and the second-floor cooking kitchen; half-day exclusive use of the school swimming pool during the summer vacation; and afternoon tea with Co-Principals Sunny and Adam. Each charitable item was met with eager bidding from parents and friends.
Giving and helping others holds a special place in the heart of SUIS Qingpu, and this was particularly evident in these charitable deeds and the enthusiasm of the parents towards charity. Their consensus and support for the school’s educational philosophy was clear – parents are the first in line for providing their children with moral education, and these parents were an inspiration in ‘leading by example’.
The Love Charity Bazaar: Little Kindnesses Gather in the Ocean of Love
On a beautiful spring afternoon, the crowd gathered and excitement filled the air. Over at the primary school section, children brought out their own donated collections and carefully laid them out to be sold. The students followed their parents’ lead, working hard, knowing that every penny earned today could help other children like them. The faces of these hard-working children glistened with sweat under the sunshine, just like their shining hearts. Sixth-grade students brought folk cultural products with unique features from their hometowns. Having just finished studying a “Folk Culture” unit, they added a charitable element to these unique products.
Senior students took a different approach, setting up calligraphy and music booths, displaying beautiful calligraphy and playing passionate and uplifting songs. These songs and pieces of art reflected their youthful optimism and hope.
As a traditional event for Xiehe Education’s New Year celebrations, the “Ringing in a Happy New Year with Love” charity fair has been held every year for 15 years. It has continued to enrich student life and allowed children to walk together on the “path of love and public welfare”. Every year, all proceeds from the event are donated to the Shanghai Xielihui Community Volunteer Service Center (referred to as “Xielihui”). Xielihui is a social organization formed by SUIS parents, adhering to the concept of “assisting, encouraging, and converging”, and was officially registered in 2012 as a non-profit social service organization. Over the years, it has evolved from focusing on school education and youth development to organizing and promoting community volunteer activities through the integration of social resources, the cultivation of youth awareness of public welfare, and by building volunteer teams. The funds raised are used to support the education of children in impoverished areas and to carry out various public welfare activities such as the “Sunshine Encouragement Fund” for youth.
Carrying out activities like this in schools can actively cultivate young people’s awareness of charity and social responsibility. It can inspire more and more children to give something back to society, to make social responsibility a way of life. Doing this can also help students nurture values such as caring for others, being respectful, and understanding. Being an active participant in society encourages others to give back and can help build a supportive and caring framework in our educational environment. In a human-driven society, the role of charity is very important. The gift of compassion for others is one we should give our children early and encourage often.