Make A Child Smile

Tiffany Wong Member​

Hi, my name is WooHea and I am a junior. This is my fifth year at SAS and second year in MACS. The two most important things in my life that I wouldn't be able to survive without are watching movies and traveling. I watch movies to reduce stress and it is by far the most effective stress relieving method for me. I loved traveling since I was a little kid and so I have been traveling to different parts of the world at every opportunity. The most beautiful place that I've ever been to is Hallstatt, Austria, which is the place that I dream of living in the future. I joined MACS last year because I was intrigued by writing letters to sick children who really need motivation and support. Now that I've been writing letters to the same kids from last year, I feel like I have a strong bond with the kids even though they don't reply to me. Going to orphanage is another thing that MACS started this year because we used to go to healing home last year. Again, I formed this strong bond with a couple of kids in the orphanage after visiting them several times. I know that other members of our club who have been visiting orphanage have formed the same strong bond as I did, so I'd like to tell other members who haven't been to the orphanage that once they get to know the kids well, it's hard not to care. I think our club is really making a difference in our community because donating 4000RMB every month is not 'trivial High School club' thing. We're making kids like Han Mu and Xiao Xue's lives much more hopeful and happy!! :)

Woo Hea Bae Treasurer

Joanna Hu Secretary

Hi, my name is Joanna Hu and I’m a freshman. Some of my interests include ice-skating, photography, and playing piano. The main reason why I joined MACS is that this club gives me the opportunity to help others, which is something that I love to do. Specifically, it allows me to help children, and I love kids! Since I joined this club, I have put a lot of time, effort, and love into the letters I write and decorate for the kids. I have also helped out at the MACS booths at international fair, and become secretary of the club. As secretary, I take attendance, send reminder emails, and complete all the tasks that the other officers ask me to. One of the things that I like most about MACS are the workshops, because they are super fun and productive! Lastly, I like MACS because it’s taught me that even a small gesture (sending letters to kids with diseases) can have a huge impact (bringing them joy).

I’m a junior in SAS and I like to cook. My favorite books are the Harry Potter series and my favorite thing to do while procrastinating is to go on Tumblr. I’m super friendly, though sometimes I can be overly friendly and come off as a bit quirky. My birthday is smack in the middle of July, so my horoscope is cancer. My favorite color is yellow, favorite fruits are blueberries, strawberries, and tangerines.  I’m a “craftist,” which means a crafter + artist. Have a nice day!
Why I’m in Make a Child Smile - I’ll admit, children aren’t really my thing, because as cute as they are, they also come with huge responsibilities, not to mention, kids don’t really like me. However, I joined because (apart from my friends all being in the club) I really like the idea of making children smile and one of the ways we do it in the club is to write letters. These letters go to kids in America who have terminal illness and as a firm believer of “love knows no boundaries,” this spread of love is really thoughtful and fun. I also get to craft those cards, which is something I love to do.
What have I done so far - I have written letters, attend meetings, but I have yet to visit the orphanage, which I will change in the near future.

Olivia Huang Member

Hi, my name is Sabrina. I’m a freshman at SAS high school. Outside of school, I like to write, read, doodle, watch movies and play pieces on the piano. I joined MACS at the beginning of this semester because I really wanted to be able to help kids and in different ways. I thought that writing letters to kids, even if they can’t reply them, is really a way to bring happiness for them, as I can show that I care for them. Since joining MACS, I’ve written two letters, made Valentine cards and a postcard. I love how MACS is able to give me a sense of fulfillment through helping others in our activities, I can’t wait to go on my first orphanage trip!

Sabrina Choi Member

Julianne Wu Member

Hello, I’m Jules and I’m a freshman from Manila and Taiwan. I enjoy reading, watching movies, yoga, swimming, drawing, friends and outdoor activities such as hiking. I also love chocolate. (: I have a kitten and 4 turtles. I joined Make A Child Smile at first because it’s simple and it involves helping and interacting with children (I love them!). So far in Make A Child Smile, I have written monthly letters, attended 2 workshops and been on one orphanage trip. Make A Child Smile actually makes me feel we are making a difference as we all know where the letters go to, where the money goes and are taking direct action in making children smile ourselves by going to orphanages and writing letters. I also love the cozy and enthusiastic atmosphere and all the people in this club are naturally dedicated. (: The background music in the workshops is really cool and fun.

You Ji Han Member

Anna Kono Member

Hi, my name is Anna Kono and I like making art, animals, reading and travellin
g. I recently joined MACS, which was about less than a month ago. The reasons
for why I chose this club is quite complicated; to be at least in one club to expand my school reputation, educational purposes, etc. but most importantly, I wanted to be part of a group that deals with making people 'smile' and doing all sorts of things that would cheer them up, thanks to one of my friends who introduced MACS to me. Having art as my no. 1 hobby, I just loved making postcards for children and I am really looking forward to all the creative activities we are all about to work on. MACS is non-competitive nor something you have to be a pro at - its a club where you get to have fun and do something worthy that helps people.

Michael Fang Member

My Name is Michael Fang, and I am a junior this year. I enjoy playing basketball and listening to my music. I joined MACS because I was looking for an opportunity to give back to the community, and help those who are not as fortunate as me. I wanted to find a way to help those people and give them something to smile about. So far, I haven’t done much in the club, but I have been on one trip to the orphanage and it has started to change me already. I enjoy being able to see the kids play and enjoy the smiles on their faces, that it makes me always want to come back.

Hi, I am Min Young, and I am currently a sophomore. I like to dance, swim, play the violin, and eat and sleep! I joined MACS because I wanted a way to share my amazing experiences as a teenager in the prestigious Shanghai American School and to share my happiness with people who are less fortunate. Although I am not a great fan of little kids, I joined MACS because it is a great chance for me to return to society what I have received so far, and also gives me a chance to develop a connection between little children and me.  I have been on an orphanage trip as a member of this club, and I was amazed at how exciting it was to not only play with a child, but also to make a child smile! Although I have only recently joined this club, I am planning to make more children smile by going on more orphanage trips and writing more encouraging letters to those children in need.