Shanghai Daily News

It is easy to see that Gu Huiqin is dedicated to making the lives of Chongming County's pensioners and disabled more comfortable. Even during holidays and festivals she is always there for them.

Since taking the position of director at the Jianshe Home for the Aged in 2002, all the oldtimers and disabled view Gu as their daughter for her warm heart and efforts to make their lives better.

For the Shanghai native, holidays have become a thing of the past as even during the Spring Festival and on weekends she keeps visiting the home to see those in her care.

"Most of the people here are old and disabled. They don't have daughters or sons to look after them," Gu said. "So they are sent to our home by the government."

Gu has greatly improved the two-story Jianshe Home since her arrival four years ago. At the time, the 1970s-something building was run down and garbage was strewn about its front garden. A strong odor permeated through the premises and spider webs could be seen in the corners of all the rooms.

"I thought to myself, 'how can these people live under such horrible conditions for their remaining days?' In my opinion, it was far from what a home for aged people should have been," said the 44-year-old.

To rectify the situation, Gu asked her colleagues to help clean the buildings and to get the front garden together. They painted the buildings to make them look new and dug up the garden, weeded and planted many trees and flowers.

"A home for the aged should be a place that is quiet and has good environment, fresh air and friendship," elaborated Gu. "I encouraged them to care for each other and make friends. I tried to create a place that would let them lead a happy and relaxed life."

The Jianshe home is for pensioners and the disabled who have no relatives to look after them in the county. Most are very lonely and negative and in need of friends.

"They should be loved and cared for," Gu said with a big smile. "I didn't have the heart to see them lead such a hard life. I wanted to change things for them and make them feel happy."

Ni Jianmei has been one success story Gu can be proud of. When the mentally retarded woman was sent to Jianshe at the end of 2002, she was still like a baby who could not do anything for herself. She needed help to eat her dinner and to dress herself.

Gu said she could never forget the first time she went to see Ni in her messy room. She had broken the windows, chairs and torn her quilt into pieces. The room was full of flies and dusty. Gu was surprised to find Ni hiding in a corner.

Like a big sister, Gu helped Ni wash her hair and clean herself up. She also sent the 29-year-old to see a doctor who prescribed medicine for her. During her spare time, Gu would often play games with her and tell her stories. Each time she went to see the girl, she would take candies to her and encourage her to face up to her difficulties.

After six months of medical treatment, Ni improved to the point where she could speak simple words such as "aunt," "hello," and "bye-bye." The doctor diagnosed her progress in such a short time as a great success. He credited Gu with playing an important part in her development.

A 75-year-old man at the home said Gu had put her full heart into the home to make it a friendly and cozy place. "She remembers everyone's birthday here. When the date is approaching, she will organize other people to sponsor a special program for the person and give him a surprise that day. It's great. We feel happy and relaxed living here."

A modest Gu said her efforts were nothing special.

"I just want to make people here feel like a family and everyone love each other. They are needy people, they need each other's help. I felt I needed to help them and do things for them."