In order to cultivate the caring spirit and establish positive values for students, the Student Affairs Office of Macao Polytechnic Institute recently organised a series of activities of the Charitable Fellowship Programme, to visit Complexo de Serviços de Apoio ao Cidadão Sénior da Obra das Mães na Praia do Manduco (Elderly Nursing Home). The students met the elderly and interacted with them through games, spending a pleasant afternoon with the elderly in order to achieve a harmonised atmosphere between generations, express love and care towards the seniors and promote traditional virtues of filial piety. The MPI students also used the government’s epidemic prevention slogans as the basic blueprint and created an interactive game, spreading the message of respect and compliance with the epidemic measures.

Student Bian, majoring in the Master of Science in Nursing, experienced that through encouragement and appreciation, the elders can strengthen their self-confidence so as to ensure they can actively participate in social contact.  She realised that companionship and patience are the best caring methods for the elders. And she will show more concern to the social needs and emotional fluctuation of the elders around her, assisting them to sustain a cheerful and optimistic mindset, which is the key to healthiness. Student Tou, majoring in the Social Work programme, co-ordinated and led the game session of “Together We Fight against COVID-19”, in which elders and students together shouted out anti-epidemic slogans with corresponding gestures. The afternoon ended with an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere and much laughter.

MPI always attaches importance to the students’ moral cultivation. The Institute encourages students to get connected to the community, care for the disadvantaged, and actively participate in social services. The Student Affairs Office will carry out the MPI Charitable Fellowship Programme continuously, and encourage students to serve and contribute to the society, establish positive values in facing life challenges, and build a caring and harmonious society.