By Wang Hairong

COVER STORY

LIVING A LIFE OF LOVE AN SOS MOTHER BRINGS SUNSHINE TO THE LIFE OF HER CHILDREN

By Wang Hairong

In 1991, Han Chunmei, then a petite 26-year-old worker in Qiqihaer City, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, learned that an SOS children’s village had been set up in the city and was seeking mothers for orphan children living there. She applied and became the mother of eight children.

Now after bringing up 18 orphans, Han has proven to be a devoted mother.

“Over the past 21 years, I have learned a lot, and have grown up and toughened up together with my children,” said Han, who remains single and does not have any children of her own.

Han studied education at a local open university, as well as receiving training in sewing, knitting and cooking. She likes to make warm and beautiful clothes for her children, and is famous in the SOS village for the big and white steamed bread she makes.

On weekends, Chinese mothers are usually busy chauffeuring their children to classes to cultivate their special skills. Han is no exception.

HAPPY GRANDMA: Han poses in front of a picture of her grandchildren

RIGOROUS TRAINING: Daughter Cui Lunyue plays Zheng, a traditional stringed instrument, while Han looks on

Her twin daughters Han Wei and Han Xiao, now third-year high school students, came to the family when they were 2 years old. When they were 6, Han began taking them to classes where they learned to playzhengandpipa, two traditional Chinese stringed instruments popular with girls.

“As orphans, when the children frst came to the SOS village, they were not confident. I want them to develop talent in art so as to boost their confidence. Now, they are much more confdent than before,” Han said.

Han’s children learned to play various musical instruments, painting and traditional Chinese calligraphy. On holidays, the family often holds a concert, with the children playing instruments, singing and dancing.

One of Han’s sons, Gao Cheng, now 27, was timid and did not like to socialize with others while at school.

However, Gao liked calligraphy. Once he wanted to take part in a national calligraphy contest, but hesitated for fear of failure. Han encouraged him to go for it and accompanied him to training classes. Gao eventually won a silver medal in the contest, and he was happy that he could compete with others and do well. Over time, Gao became more confdent and outgoing.

Like other mothers, Han would like to invest in her children’s future. When her eldest son, Gao Xiang, was admitted into the Chinese People’s Public Security University more than 10 years ago, he needed a notebook computer, which was an expensive item then in China. Han bought one for him with her personal savings.

Han Xiao was admitted into a good middle school in 2009, but the SOS Children’s Village’s budget could not fully afford her tuition. Han paid the extra tuition out of her own pocket.

Han believes it is important for a mother to be positive so that the children will be optimistic. In her spare time, Han has made her own life colorful. She enrolled in dancing and yoga classes, and joined a volunteer group organized by a local evening paper.

To Han, the greatest reward is to see her children grow up and have their own careers and families.

Gao Xiang, now 33, is a policeman. He got married in 2002.

“At the wedding, my daughter-in-law presented a fower to me and called me mother. I was so happy that I did not know what to say,” Han recalled.

One year later, a baby boy was born to Gao, and Han went to the hospital to take care of the baby as a grandmother.

“Seeing that Gao Xiang has a job he likes, a wife he loves, and his family is so happy, I am fully contented,” Han said.

wanghairong@bjreview.com