This summer, in addition to a paid internship at a digital marketing company, I had the honor of interning at a social enterprise called Huan Yu Xiang He Health Technology, based in Beijing. Last year, I worked with Bear Better in Seoul, South Korea, where I had the opportunity to learn about the daily lives and challenges faced by disabled workers. This experience inspired me to broaden my perspective and explore similar initiatives on a global scale. That’s when I discovered Huan Yu Xiang He, a company with a similar mission and vision in China. Through this internship, I gained even more valuable insights into how to support and empower individuals with disabilities.
Who is Huan Yu Xiang He?
A social enterprise is a business that aims to solve social or environmental issues, rather than making a profit for its owners. 北京环宇祥和健康科技有限公司 (Beijing Huan Yu Xiang He Health Technology Co., Ltd.) specializes in providing comprehensive procurement solutions tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises. The company operates a joint procurement platform that enables businesses to collaborate on purchasing a wide range of products, such as office supplies, employee benefits, bottled water, and more, at discounted rates. The platform helps clients reduce costs on goods, transportation, and offers enhanced after-sales services.
However, that isn't what's unique about this company. Beyond its business operations, the company is deeply committed to social responsibility. It has partnered with and awarded by the local federal organizations such as the Wangjing Street Federation for Disabled Persons (望京街道残联) to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through these collaborations, Beijing Huan Yu Xiang He Health Technology Co., Ltd. provides part-time work and support for families in need, reinforcing its dedication to community welfare and charitable initiatives.
Reflection
During my internship, I had the opportunity to visit various partner organizations that collaborate with the company, observing and assisting in the packaging of PET bottles by disabled workers. I also had the chance to participate in designing customizable PET bottle packages within the company. One of the most memorable aspects of this internship was my contribution to expanding the production network by involving another organization that supports disabled workers. Initially, the company collaborated with a disabled organization on DongHu Street, but for the first time, we extended this partnership by visiting and providing packaging work to another disabled organization on LaiGuangYing Street.
These experiences with disabled workers offered me profound insights into what it truly means to help others. Yes, they may have disabilities that impact their ability to work at the same pace as others. However, what they need most is time. When given the opportunity and sufficient time, they can perform just as effectively as anyone else.
Another observation I made, spanning across two internships in two different countries, is that disabled workers often experience a different work environment compared to the conventional workplace. Their workspaces are more relaxed , with casual conversations and music playing in the background. I would describe this atmosphere as tranquil, a stark contrast to the often rigid, task-driven environments where people focus solely on completing tasks for their wages. Here, they were collaborating. They were communicating. They were thriving.