On September 2, 2024, Sean from Hun School of Princeton, New Jersey, set foot in Tibet for the first time and visited a special education school in Lhasa. Although he has been volunteering for blind children and leprosy patients in Tibet for nearly three years, this was his first time in Lhasa, personally delivering care and hope to children living in darkness. Through his actions, the children deeply felt the love and support from all walks of life. Joining Sean were two local student volunteers from Lhasa, Dolma Chodzong and Tashi Bianjor, united by a common goal—to light a bright path for the blind children. As Helen Keller once said, “Darkness will make you appreciate light more.” Sean and the volunteers worked tirelessly to help these children find their own light in the darkness.

The preparation for this event took months, during which we raised $20,000 through various efforts. The funds were used to purchase 10 boxes of Braille paper and establish scholarships for outstanding students, aiming to support the blind children in their studies and daily lives. To make the event even more impactful, we invited Mr. Nyima Wangdu, a renowned blind educator and speaker, to attend. Not only did Mr. Nyima deliver an inspiring speech at the event, but he also prepared signed copies of his book, I Don't Want Three Days' Sight, which he presented to each child. Through this event, we hoped to inspire more people to pay attention to the growth and development of blind children, helping them draw strength from love and support.

On the day of the event, Sean and the volunteers arrived at the school early. They borrowed the school's conference room for the event, hung banners, and arranged the books and Braille papers. The children, led by their teachers, entered the room on time, full of curiosity and anticipation. The venue buzzed with a warm yet tense atmosphere. Sean, with great enthusiasm, presided over the opening ceremony and invited Mr. Nyma Wangdu to speak. Mr. Nyima shared his challenging journey from education to personal growth. He recounted how he began learning English from scratch, overcame numerous obstacles, and eventually traveled to the UK and the US to further his education and carve out his own path in life. Through these true and touching stories, Mr. Nyma Wangdu conveyed to the children that although they cannot see the light, as long as they harbor dreams and pursue them with knowledge and hard work, they can change their destiny. His speech deeply moved everyone present and inspired the children to face future challenges bravely and create their own bright lives.

Afterward, the school's head teacher, Pasang Yangji, solemnly received the Braille paper and the 6,000 RMB scholarships donated by Sean and the other volunteers. The scholarships were distributed to three student representatives. When the children learned that they would be going to McDonald's for lunch, the room erupted in excitement, with the children applauding enthusiastically. For these children, McDonald's hamburgers and large Cokes are a rare treat, and Sean shared his childhood memories, recalling how he eagerly anticipated outings with his parents to enjoy a hamburger and fried chicken.

Organized by the school's teachers, Sean and the volunteers assisted in leading the children onto the bus to McDonald's in an orderly manner. Upon arrival, the volunteers, having coordinated with the restaurant in advance, ensured that the children would be served a delicious lunch as soon as they arrived. A well-prepared set of burgers and Cokes was neatly placed on the tables, waiting for the children. The restaurant not only provided tasty food but also prepared small toys for the children, such as burger origami, allowing them to enjoy both the meal and some playtime. Additionally, our student volunteers, Dolma Chodzong and Tashi Bianjor, sang a few local Tibetan songs, and the children clapped, sang along, and those who knew the songs even hummed the tunes. The entire lunch was filled with laughter, and the children's joy was contagious, filling the event with warmth and vitality.

After the event, we took a group photo in front of the school. Sean and the volunteers were deeply moved as they captured the children's simple, smiling faces in the camera. This activity not only allowed the blind children to feel the love of the community, but also provided the volunteers with a rare spiritual experience. Through giving, the volunteers found that what they gained far exceeded their initial expectations. The children's smiling faces and their sincere thanks were the most precious rewards for the volunteers, further strengthening their determination to continue their efforts.

“Out of Darkness, Exchange Light” is not only the theme of this event but also our unwavering mission for the future. Though small as a grain of wheat, we believe that through the tireless efforts of countless volunteers, every blind child will have an equal opportunity to enjoy the nourishment of literature and knowledge, thereby changing their destiny. In this process, each of us is constantly learning how to help others more effectively and how to care for the disadvantaged in society in a more meaningful way. This is not only a way to support them but also a way to enhance and grow ourselves.

In the days to come, we will continue to work hard to pass on this warmth and love to more people in need. We firmly believe that as long as there is love in our hearts, we will be able to lead people out of the darkness; as long as there is hope in our hearts, we will be able to bring back the light. Let’s work together to light a lamp for every blind child, so they can find their direction in the light of love and move towards a brighter future.