Project Description:

EWB Ward Teaching Site was established in 2019 in cooperation with the Ward Teaching Site project under the Beijing New Sunshine Charity Foundation. It is dedicated to helping Chinese children aged 3-14 years old who have been hospitalized for a long time. The teaching site addresses the problems of social isolation, psychological depression, and stagnant development of their abilities brought about by long-term hospitalization. It provides educational projects, developmental projects, individualized counseling and experiential activities for children in and out of the hospital so that they can return to society more smoothly after 2-3 years of treatment. There are now three teaching sites in Inner Mongolia, Shenzhen and Qingdao. In December 2021, EWB was awarded the “Five Star Volunteer Group” by Beijing New Sunshine Charity Foundation.

Target Children:

Children in wards with long-term hospitalization who need educational and psychological support to prepare for a successful return to school after recovery.

Project Origin:

In March 2019, a current member of the executive board, Zhu Lin, learned about the Beijing New Sunlight Foundation Charitable Foundation’s Ward Teaching Site Project by chance. The project creates a school-like space inside and outside the hospital, distinct from the hospital, to provide free education and related services to children with serious illnesses, represented by children with leukemia who are hospitalized for long periods of time.

To fill the shortage of educational opportunities for children in recovery before they return to school, EWB has partnered with New Sunshine Inner Mongolia Ward Teaching Site to open the first Ward Teaching Site in 2019 after months of discussion and planning.

Due to the specific nature of the physical state of children with leukemia, chemotherapy and puncture accompany the children at every treatment. The children who enter the Ward Teaching Site have finished chemotherapy for six months to a year and are in a stable physical condition for their courses.

At EWB, children who have been out of school due to illness are given a chance to adjust to school life by providing not only test-taking classes in language, Maths and English but also an opportunity to socialize with peers in the outside world.

With the polished and upgraded course quality and model, EWB’s public service has been unanimously recognized by partners and parents. In 2020 and 2021, EWB opened Shenzhen Ward and Qingdao Ward one after another. EWB Ward Teaching Site was also established.

Featured Story: Ward Teaching Site Dance Workshop Day

In April 2021, EWB partnered with ZEAL Dance in Macau to offer a month-long dance workshop class for the children of the Ward Teaching Site. The classes are taught in a one-on-one online format, with live instruction by dance instructors.

The children of the Ward Teaching Site are home from school or hospitalized for a long time due to illness. When it comes to their knowledge and understanding of dance, they basically come from performances on TV or in movies. Therefore, we hope that through this activity, the children can have a basic understanding of what dance is, be able to express themselves through dance, and enjoy the joy brought by dancing.

Xiaojun had never had experience with dance before, so he was not very interested in the first class, but he still took the class very seriously. After the second class, Xiaojun told us, “I like dance class quite a lot.”

“I was pleasantly surprised to see this transformation of Xiaojun because his attitude toward new things slowly changes from non-accepting to willing to try. She can open herself to more exploration. Also, I am very grateful for the patience of the dance teacher, Abao. Ms. Abao is very experienced and gives children enough time to try new experiences.” Xiaojun’s Little Parent, Wen Xi, said.