On October 15, the Xinjiang Disabled Persons Welfare Foundation organized a unique event titled “Journey of Light: Shaping Our Future Together,” inviting 56 blind children to explore a day filled with sensory experiences at the Urumqi Blind School and the historical Baishui Gorge Ancient Town. This initiative aims to deepen public understanding and support for the education and living conditions of visually impaired individuals.
During their visit to the Urumqi Blind School, board members and volunteers from the foundation participated in a sensory experience at the school’s dark experience hall. The journey, which spanned just under 20 meters, took about three minutes for me to navigate.
“We organize these educational outings each year, allowing the children to experience the world and witness the care and support from society,” said Shen Jie, the vice principal of Urumqi Blind School.
That day, the children listened to voice-guided tours of the ancient town, using touch to connect with their environment through the castle walls, wooden carvings, and the textures of animal fur.
“It makes us really happy to have uncles and aunties accompanying us during these activities,” said Jiao Wenbo, one of the participants.
Additionally, the foundation organized a heartwarming activity called “Releasing Wish Paper Airplanes,” where children launched paper airplanes marked with braille wishes. Kind-hearted individuals then drew these wishes, with one social media book host, Zhu Qing, pledging to fulfill a child’s wish for a smartphone valued at 1,000 yuan.
“October 15, 2024, marks the 41st International White Cane Day. Through various creative and interactive activities that foster integration between people with and without disabilities, we allowed these children to perceive the beauty and diversity of the world in non-visual ways, inspiring their love for life and hope for the future,” a representative from the Xinjiang Disabled Persons Welfare Foundation shared.
