Penny Chen’s loving care changed youth's lives
Nov 13 2008 03:27:14:810PM  - (SA)  

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Ms Penny Chen started with extra classes in Chinese song with dance, massage and the art of beauty at Polokong Intermediate School in April this year.

“I teach 20 pupils from gr. 7 to gr. 9, and I am especially grateful for the support I receive from the principal, Mrs M.M. Tshabalala. She has given me a class to decorate as a beauty classroom, and she asked Mr J. Mokoena, one of the teachers, to assist me.

“At first I tried to establish a good environment for the pupils to work in and I worked hard to teach the children new skills. But they came to class late and they wanted to go home early.”

Chen says it was difficult for the pupils to understand why the principal had invited her to share her skills with them.

But then after a few months the break through came and the children’s attitudes changed.

“They no longer needed us to push them to study and practice. We now work well together and we are happy with what we are doing,” says Chen.

She says the principal explained to her that because the children mistrusted Chinese people they had at first closed up towards her.

Chen told her that she is actually Taiwanese.

Tshabalala answered: “We do not know what the difference is between the Chinese and Taiwanese, but we do know people from their love.

“Now all of the pupils have received your love and they know your heart. So they accept and love you.”

Chen is very excited.

“I really receive all their respect and love. They are learning and practicing very hard, and they have gained confidence. The children sing beautiful Chinese songs with dance, they do massages and they help people to relax.

“They can see hope and light in their own futures and believe that, through their work, they can change their lives,” says Chen.

She says she always tells the children that they may be poor but their souls are rich.

The children recently visited Huis Ou Goud in Welkom where they practiced what they had learnt on the residents.

Chen says the visit taught the children about giving and receiving love.

“I believe they have started to change, because giving can help to build up lovely hearts. I think that they realized the value of life. God loves us, regardless of our religion or race, we are all human beings. We all live in the South Africa. We all have the responsibility to create a healthy and happy country to live in. So it is time that we develop skills and create jobs. I believe that love can change everything.”

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