For the past 2 years, SVG has had the pleasure of working with Geneva Global to identify grassroots NGOs in China who are passionate and driven in helping their communities. Geneva Global and SVG help these organizations operate more efficiently and effectively as to better reach their goals. As part of their annual review, Geneva Global, through the aid of SVG, highlighted different success stories from the various organizations they have been working with.
We wanted to spotlight the great work Geneva Global has been doing in China and one story in particular that touched our hearts.
Ah Feng was a fun loving kid who loved exploring his home city by riding on the city bus. After he graduated from a special education primary school, Ah Feng’s father was concerned about his future. Would he be able to survive and make a living for himself? Ah Feng and his father visited the Huiling Sheltered Workshop, an organization that helps those with mental disabilities. Ah Feng’s father thought this would be the perfect place for his son to learn some life skills and potentially some work training. Unfortunately, Ah Feng did not adjust to going to the Huiling Sheltered Workshop every day and often would leave to ride buses around the city.
Then, the Huiling Sheltered Workshop
developed a new program for an express delivery service. With Ah Feng’s
detailed knowledge of the city bus routes, he was a perfect candidate for the
program. Combining his passion and comprehensive understanding of the bus
routes, Ah Feng delivered agricultural products from Huiling Farm to customers
in and around the city.
Though Ah Feng seemed to have found
his calling, Ah Feng’s parents urged him to sign up for the Emmaus Bakery
Training Program when Huiling started it in April of 2012. Ah Feng was
interested in baking but found it hard acclimating to being in a classroom for
the first few weeks. The training program consists of a 6-month training course
followed by a one-month internship at the Emmaus Bakery. Ah Feng finished the
entire training program with flying colors. The instructor praised Ah Feng for
being a wonderful team player, warm-hearted, and always caring and loving to
help others.
While originally Ah Feng thought he
found his true calling with his interests in buses, he is thrilled to have
started a full-time position at the Emmaus Bakery this past January. He was
nervous at first, but through the support of his coach, he is becoming a
stronger and stronger employee and baker. He has mastered the daily operations
and his responsibilities now include bread fermentation and baking. Ah Feng did
not have to totally give up his bus duties. As a way of encouraging Ah Feng, he
is asked to deliver bread by taking favorite bus after he finishes his work at
the bakery.
