We wanted to give you a chance to get to know the participants in our Launchpad program. We interviewed each participant so that they could share their stories, their hopes and how this program is helping to shape their future.
YG first came to our baby home as a tiny infant, so we have known him his whole life. He was born with spina bifida and received the life saving surgeries he needed though our medical program, and later joined one of our foster families. He's now a young adult, navigating an ever changing society as a person who uses a wheelchair.
Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is YG, and my English name is Luke. I'm 20 years old and I like hands-on activities.
I live in an apartment with three buddies, and Uncle and
Auntie. I come to the social work center everyday, where we learn to do
handicrafts and learn different professional skills. For me, that is huamo*.
I read books and watch teaching videos about it, and I also make huamo
for everyone to eat as practice at the center.
What do you enjoy most about being part of this program?
My favorite part is learning to cook. Every time when I try
to cook, I look forward to what comes out of it, to tasting it. It is very
different between how it looks and how it tastes. Once I enjoyed it so much
that I cooked THREE complete dishes.
Do you have a favorite dish to cook?
Yes, Coca Cola chicken!
Is there a moment when you felt proud of something you
achieved during training?
Yes. Although beading is not my favorite thing to do, it
makes me really proud when others like the bracelets and lanyards I made and are willing to
buy them.
What motivates you to keep learning or working in this
field?
For me, it is huamo and beading, because I can make money doing them. Besides, the process of making them is highly enjoyable, you know, when you are really in the zone.
What are some things you’re learning about living independently — managing time, money, relationships, or daily life?
I think for me, I’m really learning about interpersonal
relationship, how to interact with different people, which I had never
experienced before. For example, I regularly interact with our landlord and
professionals working in my compound, like cleaners, guards, and property
management staff. I need to communicate with drivers on the bus of our usual
routes [since I use a wheelchair and requires their assistance every now and
then].
After we moved into our current apartment, we found the bus stop
right next to it was not accessible at all for us wheelchair users. So we made
some phone calls to the city hotline and other relevant departments, and
eventually it was fixed!
What are your personal goals for the next one or two years?
Next year I would really like to take a leave from the
social work center and spend a month with my previous huamo teacher to
learn and make more sophisticated huamo. He has agreed to give me a
discount, and I have saved up the money.
Where do you imagine yourself five years from now? What kind of person or
professional would you like to become?
In a couple of years, I hope I will be able to live
independently, to have a job and make enough money to rent a small apartment. I
want to be independent and go to different places.
What message would you like to give to younger youth who are going to start their training?
Be patient. Don’t seek a quick fix. Try to see beyond what
is immediately in front of you. For example, beading. It might not be exactly
what you want to do, but try to think of what it brings you. Focus on the
change of your way of thinking, because it is the environment that changes a
person.
* Huamo—traditional Chinese steamed bun, particularly popular in northern
China. It is made from flour and shaped by hand into various auspicious
patterns or forms, such as flowers, animals, or the Chinese character for
"good fortune" (福). Typically used during
festivals, celebrations, or ritual activities, huamo serves not only as
food but also carries symbolic meanings of blessings and good wishes.
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