Foreign volunteers in Shanghai come every weekday morning to the narrow lane of Puyu Xilu, where the Shanghai Children's Welfare Institute (SCWI) is located.
They help feed and play with the children, and sometimes give massages for children with special needs. But their service is more than simply tending to physical needs. They also bring children love and sensation, which is critical to the emotional and physical development of children.
The history of foreign volunteers can be traced back to the 1980s, when very few members of Shanghai expatriate communities came to the institute to help. As time passed, more people in expatriate communities learned about the service and more foreigners have joined the volunteer group.
Now the group numbers several hundred including about 60 regular volunteers who work at SCWI every week.
(Shanghai Star 04/18/2001)
