Love Never Fails

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Written by Echo Chow, Translated by Joy Li, World Vision China

“I want to become a driver when I grow up…because…I want to make money…to support my family,” said 8-year-old Haohao, who tried his best to utter these words. His mother was standing next to him, unable to restrain her tears.

It is difficult to be parents, since love inevitably evokes expectation. Haohao was born with cerebral palsy. Deeply guilty, his mother has always blamed herself for her son’s suffering. But, she is determined to give her best to her son.

In the past two years, she has driven her son to Tianjin Wuqing Children Rehabilitation Center (CRC) twice per week on a motorbike. They spend at least one hour on the road. Besides rehabilitation trainings in the center, she also helps her son to practise at home using the teacher’s instructions.

The simple but caring words from her son are more than enough to soothe her heart.

I can see that the visits, travel, and training are physically demanding for her but, without love, such perseverance would be impossible.

Her feelings are deeply shared by World Vision’s staff working at CRC for years. Every time I speak with them, the topic is always about the children. They are excited by their progress, even small steps. These details are carefully treasured by our staff who smiled heartily when recollecting stories with me.

When I enter the centre, I feel like I’m going home, especially when I enter the children's dormitory. There are many beautiful paintings on the walls and corridors. It's hard to imagine the drawings are from the hands of these children as they draw much better than me!



The journey for the children at CRC is a difficult one that started at birth. Some people only see their disabilities.

However, with continued support from CRC, and other partners, they will live life just as happily as any child. Though faced with both physical and intellectual challenges, they demonstrate enormous courage and perseverance- redefining impossibility.

Such are real cases: some children were told that they would never be able to stand up when they were first brought to CRC, yet after repeated training, they could take their own steps with a walking aid frame.

We can never underestimate what a child can achieve.

Trainings are important in the process of course, but doesn’t the will power of the children perform a more central role?

Children like Haohao are just like you and me. Their feelings need to be taken seriously, and they deserve respect and encouragement. They have an even stronger will to make life better than those born without disabilities.

We need to give them more acceptance and patience. Perhaps what keeps CRC moving on is love. With my own eyes I see an inspiring scene that confirms the wisdom of: Love Never Fails.  

Some background information about the centre:
POPCH & CRC commenced operation in October 2003. A precedent in China, POPCH is the first private children’s home in joint-venture form approved by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It is funded by the Civil Affairs Bureau of Wuqing and POP’s Foundation, which is managed by the Civil Affairs Bureau of Wuqing and World Vision China. By carrying out rehabilitation programs and services through CRC, World Vision China supports both children living in POPCH and in the community, as well as their families. Such programs increase the chances for children with disabilities to receive rehabilitation services, thus improving their self-care ability and opening them up to more possibilities.