Last year, I went to Beijing Qizhi Special Education School for community service (社区服务). Before we took the bus, my friend asked me a question: “Why are you here?” I did not know how to answer the question. The school was not far from my school, but it looked like it was in a different world. A group of children were waiting for us. A boy walked toward me. He held my hands and pulled me to the ground. I kissed the earth and tasted nature. I could not understand what he was doing at first, so I was very angry. Though I was very angry, I controlled my anger.

A teacher stopped this awkward (尴尬的) silence when she shouted at the boy. “What are you doing right here, right now?” she said. “You will never see your mom again if you keep doing this. Now, say sorry!” “Sorry,” he cried fearfully and nervously. I said nothing, but I realized something about this child. After lunch I asked the teacher for information about the child’s parents.

She said that the child was very different from other students because of an illness. His family could not afford to treat him. He needed the kindness of his family, but they had abandoned him. So he depended on the support from the teachers and community service workers like us.

I suddenly realized I could answer the question my friend asked me at the beginning of the day.

Community service workers help others and make everyone feel better. There are so many people in the world that need help. Playing with lonely children may not make a big difference. But it can light a corner in the children’s hearts, making them know they are loved by people.