Update

An Olympic Winner!

Unless you’ve been living on another planet you can’t fail to have spotted that 2008 is an Olympiad, and that the event is happening in China. At International China Concern we decided we’d like to join in so we held our own mini Olympics on April 13.

The day dawned cloudy, but the mood was definitely bright as one hundred children and young people from our projects in Hengyang and Changsha gathered to compete in a range of events. 20 year old Da Mao takes up the story:

‘The mini Olympics were held in the grounds of a local university in Changsha. This was a special meeting, as most of the contestants have disabilities. I was very happy to be invited to attend. There were lots of different events including a wheelchair push, skipping, and throwing a sandbag through the Olympic rings. I took part in the wheelchair push and also throwing the sandbag. I used all my strength to push my wheelchair. It was really hard work! I also managed to throw two sandbags through the Olympic rings. Even though I didn’t win an event I really enjoyed taking part and had a very happy day.’

Da Mao’s story proves that in sport as in life, it’s the taking part that counts. It was inspiring to see how much effort the children and young adults put into each event and as far as we’re concerned, they’re all winners.

International China Concern met Da Mao through Community Outreach, along with her twin sister. We’re delighted Da Mao had such a good time at the mini Olympics and that we’re able to help her family take care of her.

If you’d like to support Community Outreach or one of our other projects, make an online donation today. Play your part in bringing love, hope and opportunity to China’s abandoned and disabled.

2008.04.22