In August 2014 Sarina went on a volunteer mission to Xi’an, located in the heartland of China and known for its famous Terracota Warriors. There, she worked at an orphanage that served as a school for children and adults with special needs. The attendees were affected by a variety of problems including cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, ADHD, and more. With a great deal of patience, love, and dedication, she taught these children basic mathematics and reading. She discovered that they truly are capable of learning and should not be denied the chance at an education. Although Sarina taught many students, the photos below depict one student in particular, who bonded with Sarina. A huge accomplishment was training this young boy with Autism and Cerebral Palsy to write and learn numbers, then perform complex algebra-he went from not knowing numbers to being recognized for his inherent mathematical genius! At the end of the program, The School Headmaster presented Sarina with a Certificate of Appreciation for her dedication and service.

 

Mission Xi'An Province, China
Sarina teaches mathematics and reading to this very appreciative student.

Mission Xi'An, China
Ordinarily, these children and young adults are neglected and receive very little to no attention from their local school teachers. International volunteers like Sarina are vital to these students in order to receive basic education.