Friday, 17 April 2026By 5L Chantel Ou-yang
On 14 March, some classmates and teachers went to Guangzhou Baiyun to visit leprosy survivors and do volunteer service. Before the visit, I believed that leprosy is a highly contagious skin disease. I assumed that isolation had been a historical necessity because of the lack of medical treatment, and that this had unfortunately led to long-term social disconnection for those affected.
However, after spending a day with them, I completely changed my perspective. I realised that, at heart, they are no different from any other elderly person. Although I did not have the chance for deep one-on-one conversations, the experience of interacting with them was eye-opening. The elderly joined the games with great enthusiasm and were eager to share their stories with us.
What moved me most was their profound sense of gratitude. Their sincere smiles made me feel that my small actions had truly brought them joy. Their readiness to forgive our minor mistakes showed me how much they valued our presence. This experience taught me that even the smallest gestures can make a meaningful difference. Their thankfulness has become a source of encouragement in my heart and motivated me to continue helping those in need.