Forget Me Not

50 autistic Chinese children and their parents from AiHao center visited the zoo in Shanghai Sunday, March 25, 2012, accompanied by 40 French teenagers of l’Aumônerie, almost all students at the French School.
At least, 180 people were present!

During an afternoon, in small groups, teenagers and children shared through fun games – round, imitation, animal drawings … – the values ​​between EKTA and Forget Me Not: the essence of communication begins with a bodily presence, listening, openness to the world and people and especially sharing and giving.
The day ended, always in good mood, through distribution of gifts donated by teenagers to children.

A big thank you to volunteers!

This is the challenge that Forget-Me-Not had prepared for Urbalud team (JCEF commission).

It might look quite difficult, but it has been brilliantly succeeded thanks to the leadership of Marceau Cheneau, Qi dance teacher at university in Shanghai.

A first training session made everyone at ease with this dance. It mostly helped to … in a fascinating atmosphere, mix of self-control and relaxation. Firstly performed alone, the movements have then been practice in couples and later in teams.

Surprisingly, even the participants that were less enthusiastic about dancing in front of others have been … by the simplicity of this activity and the shared happiness of dancing.

Strong teaching ability of Marceau have been key in this success.

Following a meal and some rest, Urbalud team has performed in front of the retired people of Guilin Lu retirement home the movement learned in the morning.

According to the age and physical condition of some of the elders, there was some questions about their capacity to participate and even appreciate the show. Dancers have been surprised and moved when a first retired person stood up and joined the group to practice these movements that are well known in China.

A 91 years old lady followed with visible joy and smile.

Another lady had limited mobility capacities and couldn’t stand. She participated anyway, reproducing the movements with her arms, staying on her chair. A more handicapped man just was there, his eyes wide open. What souvenirs came in his mind ?

What about this old man that was so dancing with so much energy, and who seemed not willing to leave his young dance partner from Urbalud ? He was obviously happy ! This shared happiness will remain an unforgettable souvenir for people living in the retirement home as well as for Urbalud team members. Forget-Me-Not volunteers it is also the best of the rewards.

After these physical activities, all have shared some a few drinks and participated to games organized by Forget-Me-Not. Having one guess objects using “pate a modeler” is an exercise that allowed all to overpass communication issues between shanghainese, other chinese and foreigners.

On last Sunday June 12, Forget-Me-Not and a group of families attended a new magical event, with disabled people from the Beixinjing center.

From 2.00 to 5.00 PM, eight parents and seven kids went together to Changning district Sunshine Home. To start, our new magician partner Calvin provided with an English and Chinese magic show, in front of a dumbfounded gathering. After what he agreed to share some of his tricks with participants. During one hour, they all learnt together the secrets of conjuring and presented a little show. Youngers and older gave it themselves best.

To thank these laowais that had come to meet them, disabled people share an unique joie de vivre and demonstrated exceptional skills for diabolo! Snacks and a last picture, it was already the time to say goodbye! Nevermind! If you are also looking to participate with your friends to this kind of activity with persons we are used to call “different”, contact Forget-Me-Not. We’ll be pleased to introduce you our events.

Next event will take place on June 25 when JCEF’s Urbalud will try the Qi Dance and will propose a danse show to the elders from  Hunan Gu Lao Yuan.

Pictures here

Saturday 23rd of April, Forget-Me-Not will rock Shanghai on side cars with Disabled People Association of the Changning District. The Bunny ride is a ride we do every year around Easter dressed as Big Bunnies offering an unforgettable experience to underprivileged people. Our drivers ? Bunnies on side cars !

This year we will spend the afternoon giving back their mobility to disabled adults by enjoying a nice & fun sidecar ride with us. The program of the day : Ride to Zhujiajo, on three wheels followed by intercultural games to get to know each others. After snacks and awards ceremony, we will all be back to Hongqiao.

What will we do ?

Arrived in Zhujiajo, riders and disabled  people will enjoy the day to share inter cultural experiences : songs and games in French, Mandarin and… Shanghainese ! It will be the second time they will meet. Indeed in December, we had the chance to get a ride to Qibao with 40 side cars, driven by Santa Claus ! (pictures here)

People’s Rider Club: our partner for this event

People’s Rider Club is a group of Changjiang 750 owners living in Shanghai-China, both Chinese and foreigners.,The goal is to animate the community of sidecar owners in Shanghai by organizing weekend tours of one or two days; taking part in charities and social events, etc.

“We love to ride CJ 750′s, we love to explore Shanghai and its suroundings, we love to meet new people who share the same passion as us and we are always looking forward to the next ride.”

Check their Website : www.peoplesridersclub.com/

Details:

Saturday 23rd of April

Departure from Sheraton Hongqiao hotel parking at 1PM

Back same place at 5PM

Hotel adress is 5 Zunyi Nan Lu, near Xianxia Lu

To be noted: if it’s raining, we will cancel the event (cross your fingers)

Contacts: forget-me-not@jcef-shanghai.com

Saturday March 12, Sodexo China employees truly lived an unforgetable experience with Forget-Me-Not.

35 people met in Shanghai zoo, ending three days of professional team building and business meetings. This morning helped them to get to know each other with playful and informal activities.

In the first time, they participated to some team building games, divided in several groups of 7 to 8 persons. It was a good start to learn how to face challenges and work together. Those are teams  already welded that have greeted the 16 mentally disabled people from the center of Sunshine home Wulumqi Lu to discover together the zoo! Enriched with new participants, a little different from their usual colleagues, employees had to guide teams through the park and answer questions.

After games and improvised songs on the grass, with spring first sunshines, they then had to rub the ”charade phone” game based on the principle of Arab phone, but where the word is replaced with the mime. Great challenge for everyone to find actions that will be understood and reproduced by teammates … Guaranteed fun to watch his fellow mime an elephant  taking a shower! What a joy also for people of Sunshine home to share these intense moments in all kindness. Read the rest of this entry »

Undeniably, the Forget-Me-Not team is not going to forget December 11, the day we met the funniest riders of Shanghai…

With Changning District Disabled People Association, we shared a funny and emotional time.

During the morning, our team has tested and worked on new team building activities. After several games in the Zhongshan Park, we met employees from the Disabled People Association of the Changning District, handicapped themselves to varying degrees. All year long, they help their members (5000 persons only for Changning District!). Saturday was a good occasion for us to reverse the situation and give them the time they usually devote to others. After a friendly lunch, 40 Santa Claus arrived and joined us with great fanfare, in front of amazed passers.

Read the rest of this entry »