Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) has a volunteer organization called “Sunshine Babies”, which conduct weekly activities to assist children with autism to adapt to the society.

Sun Mengtong, a second-year student majoring in broadcasting, has been serving as the leader of this volunteer organization since September of 2023. She has recruited and trained new members over the past months.

Sun said that the leadership role comes with increased responsibility, requiring a broader perspective. "I need to not only focus on the work of each volunteer but also care about the children's growth. Considering both aspects is my responsibility."

The organization hosts weekly activities to help them better adapt to the society. For Example, they created a shopping scene, playing the roles of merchants and interacting with the children. Throughout the process, they patiently communicate with the children until they can accurately name the products and calculate change.

Volunteers also engage in post-activity discussions with their parents, reviewing the child's performance. Over time, they can distinctly feel the progress the children make, from initially needing parental assistance to independently interacting with the volunteers.

"When I first participated in the activities, the children couldn't remember my name, even though I repeated many times. Now, they not only recognize me but can also write my name. This progress makes me feel that our work is meaningful, and they are getting better. It's very inspiring and it is the driving force for my continuous involvement," Sun Mengtong said, "Children with autism need long-term, repeated practice to master social skills. In our extended companionship, we hope these children can gradually improve, from basic memory skills to higher-level life skills. Even though they may find it challenging to do it smoothly, any small improvement means a lot."

Children and their parents also make some mementos to express thankfulness to the volunteers. For example, they turned drawings created by the children during activities with volunteers into canvas bags as gifts.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Sunshine Babies volunteer organization has a history of fifteen years, with a cumulative membership of over 210 individuals and nearly 2,700 hours of volunteer service. Since 2017, the organization has conducted over 700 activities, benefiting 270 autistic children.