An intangible and infinite force that unites their hearts.

In the month of gratitude, we will share six short stories written by volunteers from "Ricci Social Services" and by residents living in the leprosy rehabilitation center. The theme is about growth within "Ricci Social Services," an intangible and infinite force that brings their hearts together. We invite everyone to experience the stories of growth in this RSS family!

Learning Without Knowing

Author: Volunteer from Ricci Social Services, currently serving at the Qiubei Rehabilitation Center in Yunnan.

On August 9, 1999, the president asked me if I wanted to serve people with leprosy. He told me that "Ricci Social Services" invited our group to help these patients. It was the first time I heard the name Ricci, and I agreed to the president's invitation to serve at the Dajindao Rehabilitation Center in Guangzhou. This was also my first contact with the staff of Ricci Social Services, and we received a call from Grandpa Lu Yi! It was my first encounter with the founder of the organization.

However, at that time, I still didn’t fully understand what Ricci Social Services did. It wasn’t until the days of service went by that I truly began to understand the mission of the organization. Gradually, I started to serve without much knowledge, and starting from Dajindao, I learned the true meaning of Mateo Ricci Social Services.

Volunteer from Services Social Matteo Ricci, currently serving at the Qiubei Rehabilitation Center in Yunnan Province

In the month of gratitude, we will share short stories written by volunteers serving in "Services Social Mateo Ricci" and by residents of the leprosy rehabilitation center. The theme is about growth within "Services Social Matteo Ricci" — an intangible and limitless force that brings their hearts together.

Everyone is welcome to feel the stories of growth within the RSS family.

💫💕💪😂💖🙌

Ten Years Later

Companionship is the Best Wisdom

Author: A volunteer from Services Social Matteo Ricci, currently serving at the Qiubei Rehabilitation Center in Yunnan Province.

On July 9, 2011, I first arrived at the leprosy rehabilitation center. The scenery here is beautiful, but seeing the large ulcers of the residents, with blood-red wounds exposing bone, is truly chilling.

However, their ability to survive is particularly strong. There is an elderly man without hands who ties a spoon to his arm to eat, and another elderly man with a leg amputation who kneels on the ground to till the soil and plant vegetables.

In the book Suffering is Not in the World written by Yuan Zhimin, it mentions that he contracted leprosy at the age of seven. His life and the experiences of the leprosy patients he met have deeply pained him.

Later, receiving love through charitable organizations like Services Social Matteo Ricci, and with the help of benefactors, caregivers, and volunteers, their lives have been transformed, giving them dignity and the courage to continue living. It is hoped that this love will accompany them to the other side of life.