International youth volunteers bring warmth to elderly in Hongqiao Community

The Bloodline.Y international youth cognitive care volunteer team, under the "Shine IN Hongqiao" International Volunteer Service Alliance, visited the Comprehensive Elderly Service Center of Hongqiao Subdistrict on March 28, bringing warm companionship to local seniors through fun interactive activities.

More than 10 international student volunteers from Germany, Portugal and the Republic of Korea sat together with elderly residents, playing table tennis toss and creating pine cone paintings. For seniors with cognitive impairments, these interactions serve not only as games but also as gentle therapy to stimulate memory and activate thinking.

The international volunteers also gained special warmth and personal growth through the experience. Lorenzo, a volunteer from Germany, said he felt as if he had returned to Germany and was spending time with his grandparents. Tiago from Portugal added that such volunteer work has helped them better integrate into the local community.

Since launching its cognitive disorder-friendly community initiative in 2018, Hongqiao Subdistrict has been cooperating with Chinese and foreign schools and friendly organizations to carry out diverse care programs.

Bloodline.Y is a youth branch of the Bloodline International Volunteer Team initiated by international volunteer Ashish Maskay, a surgeon from Nepal. It has brought together students and teachers from more than 10 international schools, actively participating in public welfare activities including leukemia support and cognitive impairment care.

According to Hongqiao Subdistrict, the International Volunteer Service Alliance was established to build a platform for Sino-foreign volunteer service exchanges, match international resources with local needs accurately, and unite diverse forces to build a warm and vibrant international community.