To promote community inclusion and cultivate students’ sense of social responsibility, Moon Chun Memorial College’s St. Paul’s House at the University of Macau jointly organized a unique volunteer activity with the Macau Autism Association on the afternoon of February 7th at Seac Pai Van Park. Using nature exploration and artistic creation as mediums, the event attracted 11 college volunteers and multiple families with autistic children, who spent a warm and creative time together in the afternoon sun.

The activity officially began at 3:30 PM and consisted of three segments. To ensure quality interaction, the organizers first arranged for institutional staff to provide brief training for the volunteers, explaining in detail the precautions and communication techniques for accompanying autistic children. Subsequently, volunteers paired one-on-one with the children to embark on a “Park Leaf Hunt” journey. Guided patiently by the volunteers, the children searched for leaves of various shapes among the grass and under the trees—each new discovery became an opportunity to enhance mutual trust.

After collection, the activity moved to the “Leaf Rubbing” segment. With the volunteers’ assistance, the children dipped their collected leaves in paint and rubbed unique textures and patterns onto paper. During the process, some children focused intently on pressing the leaves, while others, encouraged by the volunteers, experimented with mixing colors, demonstrating rich imagination.

The climax of the activity came in the final collective creation segment. Everyone gathered around a long scroll canvas, unleashing their creativity together. Volunteers handed paint and offered gentle encouragement from the sidelines while the children freely painted. As colors intertwined on the canvas, mutual assistance and rapport quietly flowed between them, filling the venue with laughter and joy.

This event not only allowed children with autism to receive companionship and happiness in an atmosphere of nature and art, but also provided valuable practical opportunities for Moon Chun Memorial College students. Through close companionship and guidance, the volunteers not only honed their patience and sense of responsibility but also enhanced their empathy and communication skills—embodying a vivid practice of higher education in cultivating young talents with social responsibility and leadership awareness.

Text: Brayden Sun