Official uses art to brighten lives of needy kids
Print Edition
By day Wang Yiqun is an official with the Putuo District City Management Bureau of Administrative Law Enforcement. But to her hundreds of WeChat followers, she is better known as a passionate volunteer and art educator.
In January, Wang set up the public WeChat account “Teacher Nuomi’s Small Class” to provide children and parents with a platform to learn basic painting and art skills.
Wang also uses the account to promote proper civic behavior and respect for animals. Several of her posts have been forwarded by the public account of the Putuo Youth League.
So far, Wang’s account has more than 500 fans, many of whom say they’ve taken up painting as a hobby or a regular family-bonding activity. Their works can be found in the “exhibit” section of the account.
While many of Wang’s posts are aimed at children and families, several of her adult followers say they’ve also been inspired to pick up the paint brush themselves.
Even before opening her account, Wang, who holds an art degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was recognized for her painting abilities. Several of her paintings have received state- and city-level awards.
Before taking up her current post nearly two years ago, Wang also worked part-time as an art teacher at the Children’s Palace in Pudong New Area.
As her 30th birthday approached, Wang began to think about the ways she could use her artistic skills to do something meaningful.
Considering her educational background and realizing that art education was missing in the lives of many local children, Wang set up her now well-known account.
Wang’s account quickly gained attention. Before long, she was being contacted with other charitable opportunities.
Within a month after setting up her account, Wang received a message from the director of the social work department at the Children’s Hospital of Shanghai, who is a follower of hers. The director was impressed by the work Wang had done and asked if she would be willing to provide free art lessons for sick children in hospital. She immediately agreed. From then on, she began volunteering half a day each week at the hospital.
She spent time with the children during the Spring Festival since most of them can’t spend the holidays with their families at home. Wang drew dozens of cartoon get-well cards for the unfortunate youngsters. The kids were very excited about these thoughtful presents. According to Wang, seeing the smiling faces of these children as they developed an interest in art always refreshed her spirit.
One of Wang’s young pupils, a five-year-old girl named Yu Han, was reluctant to communicate, let alone paint. One day though, Wang found Yu coloring a picture she had brought. She thought it was a good start to connect with the child.
Therefore, Wang brought 10 or so new coloring pages to the young girl each time she visited the hospital. Yu grew to like drawing pictures and gradually warmed up to Wang.
Yu is just one of the many children Wang has touched with her dedication and generous spirit.
Wang mentors Qing Yue, another kindergarten-age girl who loves art but whose family couldn’t afford to pay for art lessons.
Wang has also helped Yangyang, a five-year-old girl who is afflicted with acute leukemia. During her lunch break on Thursdays, Wang spends two hours with Yangyang at the child’s home drawing pictures together.
To better connect with her pupils, Wang also spends her free time learning about popular children’s songs and cartoon characters. She has also learned magic tricks and how to make balloon animals.
Wang often innovates the style of her classes. She taught children to make traditional Chinese rice-pudding on the Dragon Boat Festival and paper flowers as Mother’s Day gifts.
Recently, Wang began studying ceramics, sewing and paper folding — all skills she hopes to share one day.
Wang’s lessons and her enthusiasm for bringing joy to youngsters through art have earned her the praise of both parents and children.
She’s won the respect of her colleagues as well, many of whom say they hope to follow her example and volunteer themselves.
Wang’s colleagues sometimes pay special visits to the hospital. They’ve donated children’s books and toys.
Information about such voluntary events is also posted on Wang’s WeChat account. More than 100 of her followers have joined in these events, donating over 10,000 yuan (US$1,610) worth of goods to children in need.
According to Wang, her simple goal is to brighten the lives of the children and persevere with her good deeds.
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