La La Shou (Hand in Hand) Special Education Center is a non-profit and privately funded organization in Xi’an. It was started January 30, 2002 by two self-described, "desperate" mothers of autistic and special needs children. Hoping to help their own children, and others with similar difficulties, they started the special education center. Only for the name of “mother,” they say. Learn more about the beginnings of this extraordinary center.

These parents believe that every child has hidden abilities to counter his/her deficits, and what they need is an enormous amount of care and understanding. This is an extraordinary opportunity to help these children be better prepared for their future.

At the center, volunteers will work very closely with the children to act as a catalyst with this special group of people. And in turn they will experience China from an unusual perspective, not as a typical tourist.

Each volunteer will be assigned to one child for the entire program. The volunteer will get a piece of written information about this child at the welcoming meeting which includes the child's age, gender, what he/she likes doing, what he/she is able to do such as counting the numbers to twenty, and how the volunteer should help him/her to learn. Through the next two or three weeks, the volunteer will stay with this child every day, playing together, drawing together, serving him/her lunch, etc.. The volunteer will also be introduced to the child's family.

It is nearly impossible not to be moved by the teachers and parents at La La Shou Education Center. This group refuses to give up and it is their diligence, passion for the children, and generous love that is the key to their success. Learning how to write the number two may take other children an hour, but these teachers spend one day, one week, or sometimes one month to teach each child. Their appreciation to the volunteers is never-ending, not only because of the help that is provided, but because they treasure the people who treat their children as normal - with love, patience and respect.

China is still a developing country and the government doesn't support the mentally challenged children very much. It is also a continued tradition that the mentally challenged children should be kept at home in order to protect the face of the family. But thanks to the people at the La La Shou Education Center and volunteers. this small group of children are having the opportunity to realize their dream of having a life close to the others.

This is not easy to do because of the discrimination by the government, the local people, and even themselves. These kids need your help and encouragement to ensure that they can succeed in life and have a happy future.

Back to China Projects page