The YCIS Chongqing ‘Smile Campaign' was inspired by Jayden Hayes, a child from America who lost both of his parents at a young age. Although devastated by this loss, Jayden still continued to spread his love around his own community.

Bringing a smile to someone’s face can be monumental, especially in the challenging circumstances we find ourselves in. In order to show the same character and values that Jayden demonstrated and to uphold the school’s mission. Our YCIS Chongqing students, staff and Parent Organisation had the opportunity to share their love, compassion and servants’ heart with the local people in our community. This year, we wanted to focus on a specific group of people, these are our elders as they can often feel lonely and left out due to the increased speed of life, also we wanted our generation to pay respect to what they have achieved on our behalf and share with them a smile as a way to thank them.

Last Friday, a group of YCIS Chongqing students, staff and parent volunteers travelled to The Bailu Elderly Center in Yuanyang, distributing smile stickers to the people they met so as to help make their day a little brighter.

Students were able to get to know their new friends through small group conversations and various activities that allowed students and adults alike to share smiles and laughter across the room. We also prepared a small gift for each person who participated in the activity, it is important to recognise that helping others is a virtue and it starts from the little things.

A sincere thank you to all YCIS community members who supported this event, including our Parent Organisation volunteers, it was such a heartwarming and happy event. We look forward to next year’s ‘Smile Campaign’ and hope that as members of the YCIS family, we can continue to show how we follow our Foundations motto: Yew Chung will align with LOVE and CHARITY!