A student helps Ren to stand up and watch their chorus performances at the New Year's party.[Photo provided to China Daily] |
However, Ren's extraordinary belief and his understanding and love of the blind have opened a window for them. Many see the class as home. And the happiness they gain from playing the accordion gives them hope.
Over the years, Ren cannot remember how many holidays he has spent with them.
Now, every one of his blind students can play at least four or five tracks completely, and some of them often accompany choirs.
His blind students Chen Guoyue and Li Xiaomei have also performed for China Central Television and Beijing Television.
Ren says that these blind students are not just entertainers, because their confidence and dignity gives a whole new meaning to their life.
Meanwhile, many volunteers have joined in to help provide assistance to the blind students. Among them is Rong Yueling, a vocal instructor and taxi driver Yang Jianhua who drives Ren to the library every Wednesday.
Ren's story with the accordion started when he was 14, when he joined the army. And, now, 68 years later, it still continues.