Center: 'I love these children so much'

Lessons provided

The center has received more than 70 terminally ill children since it was founded. In addition to medical treatment, it provides a range of activities for the children, such as enjoying flowers in spring, picking up leaves in fall and playing with Santa Claus in winter.

"Being sick doesn't mean that the children cannot have a life," Huang said. "They should feel joy and hope for life as well as the kindness and care of the world."

Guo Zhanmin, a teacher at the center, said painting, cooking and craft lessons are provided for the older children.

In China, children usually go to kindergarten when they are 3 and to elementary school when they are 6.

On the center's second floor, six children are learning how to make egg tarts, knead Plasticine toys and to wear clothing to match the temperature.

"Sometimes, we go outside to watch plants grow leaves and blossom. I love these children so much and want to help as much as I can," Guo said.

After joining the center in 2015, she became disheartened and wanted to quit the job. The first child she cared for was a 2-year-old girl with severe heart disease. After they spent several days together, the baby died and Guo is still unable to accept this.

"Huang told me when I felt helpless that I was doing meaningful work. All we could do was to give the baby our ultimate love and make her comfortable," she said.

However, Guo decided to continue in the job. She later took care of another child with the same disease, who was adopted after several heart surgeries.

"I was so happy when the child was adopted," she said. "Although I don't want to feel the pain when the children pass away, I've decided to become a full-time teacher at the center."

Since the first palliative care agency was established in China in 1987, such services have been launched in many provinces and cities. However, they are mainly for seniors, not young children.

According to the National Cancer Register Center, 30,000 to 40,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in China. Due to limited medical facilities, many parents have to care for their children at home.