Written by Kery
I had an opportunity to meet with a high school principal yesterday. We talked about students’ learning attitudes and their opportunities to study in the United States. If they study hard, doors to higher education will always be open to them. This conversation reminded me of visually impaired students in China. Their doors have long been closed by their families, neighbors, traditional career models, and their own lack of self worth. 閱讀中文版 (給他們多開一扇門).
When she was still a small child, a visually impaired student went excitedly to a carnival in her village, eager to participate in games with her friends and feeling quite confident about her abilities. At the entrance, the organizer wouldn’t allow her to participate. She sat alone and sadly listened to the laughter of other children.
Another visually impaired student was neglected and rejected by her family because of her disability. She lost all self confidence and self-esteem.
Many visually impaired students in good academic standing would love to attend a university. They study hard to dispel the misconception the blind can only be gainfully employed as massage therapists. They have other choices; they can work in hospitals or be teachers in special schools. However, they often find themselves at a disadvantage because they weren’t given opportunities to access information, receive career counseling, social skills training, or be taught basic sex education. They want to explore more options, learn about themselves, and sympathize with others. For these reasons, Rainbow Missions started a summer learning camp three years ago to inspire and promote self-confidence and vitality through career counseling and “open eyes” of visually impaired students and enable them to bravely walk longer and further. We also look forward to sharing our experiences in faith and help them embark on the path of abundant grace.
Here are a few responses from students who participated in the summer learning camp:
Li: “This event promoted my personal development and integration into society. I also want to step out of the circle of massage, explore more possibilities, and inspire more visually impaired people.”
Zhang: “I think the summer learning camp increased my understanding and familiarity with office work, improved my basic skills, which will help and enable me to connect with other people and resources. Learning communication skills will also help me in future studies, quests for rights, etc.”
Another Zhang student: “I met my better self. I’m not saying anyone is intentionally discriminating against us, but we want to throw out all reasons for discrimination. I would rather say I am not capable enough instead of face discrimination. More complaints, less understanding; more laziness, less effort; and thinking more, implementing less are common problems among many visually impaired individuals as well as young people in society. The seven days of the summer learning camp passed by quickly, but what I learned will be impacting me the rest of my life. From now on, I will work harder to become a person who will not be despised or looked down upon nor a person who is idolized. I just want to be an ordinary person. At the same time, I will try my best to change myself and make a positive impact upon those around me.”
Are you willing to open more doors for visually impaired students? Help them learn more about the outside world. Because of their financial limitations, Rainbow Missions fully funds the cost of their summer school camps, including traveling costs to the city, seven days of food, shelter and activities. Each student cost about one thousand US dollars. If we raise more money, more students will be blessed.
Please come and join our “Walk in Love” Walkathon on May 19 and take action to create a new future for them. Kindly sign up for the “Walk in Love” Walkathon at www.therainbows.org or send a check to Rainbow Missions, PO BOX 40145, Bellevue, WA 98015. Specify “Walkathon 2018” and your email address. Thank you!
Date: 5/19/2018 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00AM-12:00PM
Venue: Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island, WA
Cost: $15 Adult / $10 Student / $5 Child (6-12 years old)
昨天有機會與一位中學校長見面，傾談有關現在學生的學習態度和在美國讀書的機會。其實對於在美國長大的孩子，選擇就像一扇又一扇大開的門，只要他們努力學習，那些門總會給他們開著。這些對話，令我想起在中國的視障學生，這些門早已在他們失明的時候被家人、鄰居、傳統的職業模式、並自己的自我價值所關上。
有一位視障學生，在她很小的時候 他們村裡曾舉辦一個嘉年華會，跟鄰家小孩一樣，她都很渴望參加遊戲比賽。她非常確定自己是有能力參與的，但還沒有開始，主辦單位就取消了她的參加資格。至終，她只能獨自坐在一旁，傷心地聽著別的小朋友在遊戲比賽時所發出的歡笑聲。
另一位視障學生，從小就因為她的缺憾家人對她冷漠和排斥，使她十分自卑，做事也沒有信心。
有一些學習成績比較好的視障學生，他們能夠考上大學，希望為自己的未來多開一扇門，走出失明人只能做的傳統職業—按摩。他們實在多了選擇，可以在醫院工作或在特殊學校當老師，但他們往往會發現，自己對於各類的資訊和基本社交能力都十分貧乏，例如心裡疏導、社交技能、職業模式探索、以及青春期性教育……等等。他們希望可以探索更多選擇的機會，了解自己，也能體恤別人。
彩虹工程有鑒於此，於三年前開始了一個培訓計劃，希望藉著定期的輔導和開辦夏令學習營，通過開拓視障學生的「眼界」，激發和促進他們的自信和活力，令他們可以勇敢地走更長、更遠的路。也盼望能夠有機會與他們分享我們在信仰上的經歷，幫助他們走上滿有豐盛恩典的道路。
以下是一些曾經參加過夏令學習營的同學的回應:
李同學: 「本次活動提高視障者的個人能力，促進殘健融合，為視障人更好的融入社會活動打下良好的基礎。正好，我也想走出推拿的圈子，嘗試更多的可能，在與更多視障者交流的過程中找到新的靈感。」
張同學: 「我覺得夏令學習營在我的職業生涯中能夠起到增加人脈、提高基礎能力等基本性的作用。同時，對於辦公室工作的了解和熟悉也將會給我未來的工作帶來幫助。而與人溝通的能力，也將幫助我在未來的求學、權利追求等方面給予能力支持。」
另一位張同學: 「我遇到更好的自己。不是別人有意要歧視我們，而是我們首先就拋出了一個讓別人歧視的理由。與其說被歧視，不如說自己能力不夠。抱怨多，理解少；懶惰多，努力少；想得多，落實少是很多視障者乃至整個社會年輕人的通病。七天的社會實踐匆匆而過，但從中學到的一切將伴我走過接下來的每一天。我定將從現在起，努力做一個不被俯視也不被歧視，更無需別人仰視的普通人。同樣，我也會盡我的微薄之力，改變自己的同時也影響周圍的人。」
我們願意為他們多開幾扇門嗎 ? 讓他們對外界對自己認識更多。因為他們在經濟上的缺乏，彩虹工程全費資助他們夏令學習營的費用，包括往來城市的車票、七天的食住和活動費用，每位學生大概一千美元，若我們籌得更多款項，就有更多的學生被祝福。
請參加今年5月19日的步行籌款，用行動為他們開出新的出路，打開傳統規範之門。倘若您願意在行動或金錢上支持更多視障學生，可到www.therainbows.org報名參加「你我同行步行籌款」或把支票寄往Rainbow Missions, PO BOX 40145, Bellevue, WA 98015，請註明「Walkathon2018」及電郵地址。謝謝！
日期: 5/19/2018(週六)
時間: 10:00AM-12:00PM
地點: Luther Burbank Park, Mercer Island, WA
費用: $15 成人/ $10 學生/$ 5小童 (6-12歲)