WE Brings Care to Blind Children

Waggener Edstrom Communications (WE) recognizes the vital role of community partnerships in pursuit of the betterment of society and encourages employees to use at least 16 WE volunteer hours annually to make a difference in the world.

Recently, after some internal brainstorming, the WE-Beijing office planned two WE Make a Difference Days to support a local group: Bethel China. Founded in 2003, the nonprofit helps children with visual impairments live life to the fullest. In China, Bethel runs the Love is Blind project via four centers for blind children, each with a different focus, including early intervention, primary school, high school and long-term care. Bethel’s children arrive from over 35 orphanages across the country to receive individual care and education with a focus on visual impairment.

WE employees took a shuttle bus to the Changping District, while carrying donations of children’s clothing, toys and other special gifts, to bring happiness to 20 blind orphans (ages 1–5) cared for at Bethel’s kindergarten.

The first group of 15 volunteered on Tuesday, June 2, and employees shared this about the experience:

What a day filled with love and care! Not only was it meaningful to help a special place in need, it also strengthened our “better together” team spirit. We thoroughly cleaned the dining room and kitchen; exchanged love by playing with the kids and listening to them; and met some of Bethel’s needs via donations.

There were many touching moments and here are just a few sentiments expressed by our employees: 

“with great strength comes great responsibility; meeting the kind-hearted girl with twinkling tears; seeing the amazing proficiency of the staff caring for the children.”

A second group of 14 returned to Bethel on Friday, June 12 for another wonderful day of volunteering and bringing gifts. Hands on activities included playing outdoor games with the little angels, chatting with them, and accompanying them for dinner. The courage shown by the children in the face of their disabilities is remarkable!

With the hope of having made a difference in these precious children’s lives, we look forward to helping more people, together, through future volunteer activities.