Cat Shelter: After reassuring our students that we would not be visiting the Anima Dog Shelter (some of us feel a bit anxious around groups of dogs, me included), we hopped on the bus and the driver took us straight to the Anima Dog Shelter.  No cats!!!  Well, we got that figured out and got back on the bus and we found the cat shelter.

Upon entering the shelter I quickly recognized a faint “quality of air” change.  It was not a gagging kind of odor but nevertheless, it was there.  Perhaps the sight of the very many kitty-litter boxes played tricks on our senses and we only imagined a less than wonderful scent.

The facility is very open and the cats are not being held in cages.  It seems to be a very good environment for the cats to be in while waiting to be adopted.  Many of the students were willing to pet the cats who were willing to be petted. Some students seemed very wary and did not have a need or desire to touch the cats. Many of the cats felt the same and were not interested in close proximity to humans.

Overall, it was a purrrrrfect experience for the felines and the humans.  

Xiaoguang Center (Hil Kong):  The other excursion on this day was to the Hil Kong Centre.   This facility is affiliated with Association of Parents of the People with Intellectual Disabilities of Macau. It was open to the public on 1st January, 1997  and has an area of 1060 square meters. Hil Kong is a daytime activity centre which gives care and training to people with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. The goal is to enable their personal growth while temporarily relieving care givers of their pressure.

The TIS students had a tour and then they were escorted into a room where each student sat beside a client and guided them through an arts and craft activity.  Some needed very much guidance and some needed very little.  The students were awesome in the way they helped.  Each activity required some sewing.  Some students fed the needle through guideholes and the client pulled it through.  Some clients fed the needle into the guideholes and the students pulled it through.  It all depended upon the level of physical dexterity or cognitive ability of the clients.  This was an excellent opportunity for the TIS students.

There are no pictures as it is important to keep the privacy of the individuals at the care facility.

Artist in Residence:  The students have started an art project that is being taught by Mr. James Wong.  At the end of this project the 44 students will have created 11 Elephant Heads.  This project develops the understanding of team work, encourages sharing of ideas and tasks, develops fine motor skills and the students learn technique and patience.