Mentally impaired earn their bread at Nanjing bakery

An instructor at the bakery gives thumbs up to a mentally challenged trainee. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Need for recognition

In 2013, Huihui, with the assistance of a special education teacher, wrote a detailed letter saying, "I am fortunate to live in Nanjing and be cared for by many people. Others in China who have an intellectual disability like me are not so fortunate. I hope that they too might have the opportunity to work, and show more people that we can make the most of our modest natural talents. "

As of 2012, China has more than 82 million disabled people. Of those, 5.5 million are mentally challenged and hold an employment rate much lower than other disabled groups.

The mentally challenged employees at Amity Bakery are chosen from the Amity Home of Blessings, which provides daily care and vocational training for mentally impaired people in Nanjing. The institution is also founded by the Amity Foundation.