Founded by Ci Xiang, a 31-year-old man with intellectual disability, a service center named after him has given free lessons to 17 disabled people on fruit pit carving since 2016.
Ci Xiang displays his carving works at the “Ci Xiang service center for the disabled” in Heping District of Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Ci Xiang (L) teaches an apprentice the carving techniques in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Ci Xiang (L) teaches an apprentice the carving techniques in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Ci started learning the fruit pit carving in 2013 under the guidance of renowned local craftsman Li Yongli and has become an outstanding craftsman himself with his award-winning works after years of hard work.
Ci Xiang (1st L) communicates with his teacher Li Yongli (2nd L) on the carving techniques in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 12, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Ci Xiang makes a fruit pit carving work in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Ci Xiang makes a fruit pit carving work in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Then the idea of founding a service center for the disabled came into his mind as Ci Xiang wanted to help more disabled people live a normal life in the society. With the help of local government, Ci finally implemented his idea in 2016. In the past three years, Ci Xiang and his apprentices have organized several charity sales to help other disabled people.
Ci Xiang (front) makes a fruit pit carving work in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
Ci Xiang (2nd L) plays guitar for his apprentices at the “Ci Xiang service center for the disabled” in Heping District of Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
“To be a master in fruit pit carving and to help more disabled people make a living on their own are my dreams,” Ci said.
Ci Xiang makes a fruit pit carving work in Shenyang, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, July 11, 2019.(Xinhua/Long Lei)
