Tender-hearted Mothers

Mothers find pleasure in their children’s bright faces. The same case is with the teachers and nurses of the Pyongyang Orphanage.

Shortly ago we visited the orphanage. It was morning hours, so the children who had just got out of bed were washing their faces and tidying up their beds under the care of the nurses.

At the time of morning exercise the nurses were also deeply concerned about what happened to their health overnight.

At mealtimes they paid attention to who were reluctant to eat and taught some children lost in toying with spoons how to handle them to make them accustomed to eat themselves.

At studying time the education rooms resounded with sonorous voices of the children, who were learning mother tongue, singing, counting and drawing. The teachers were explaining them various playing methods while giving them a correct understanding of natural phenomena.

They were also inducing them to apply into practice what they have learnt, so as to develop their natural attainments.

We found every wall of the staircases, corridors and living rooms decorated with pictures congenial to the minds of children and conducive to their education. The pictures which deal with fairy tales and animations were very effective in helping the children to have a proper understanding of good and evil, human conscience and obligation.

At the playing time the children ran to the exercise rooms and playground installed with table-tennis board, spring board, basketball post, boxing kit, bike yard, roller rink and other amusement facilities. There they were playing merrily.

The orphanage had an indoor wading pool. It was in November, a closing autumnal period, so cool wind was blowing outdoors. But the wading pool stood at a warm temperature and the children were beside themselves over joy splashing water, while the nurses were paying constant heed to them lest they should fall.

Darkness began to fall. Some children watched cartoon films on TV and others were absorbed in jigsaw puzzle and playing with dolls in the intelligence room. At last they fell asleep. Looking at the children who were sleeping on cozy beds, the nurses covered the infants with quilts whenever the latter kicked them off, and washed their dirty clothes. Literally, they were looking after them with motherly care late into the evening.

The doctors and cooks were also devoting themselves to the care of the children. The doctors provided the children with decocted medicinal herbs, measured their stature and weight and helped them train physically according to a relevant plan. The cooks were also doing their best to satisfy the appetite of the children.

Indeed, the orphanage was overflowing with the loving care of the undertakers.