Despite once holding a coveted position in a government agency, often seen as having an "iron rice bowl" in China, Yanrui chose to forgo comfort for a path of social work.

Her journey into the field began with an active involvement in community training and a deep engagement with neighborhood committees. This hands-on experience led her to grapple with the question, "How can we effectively address community issues?" Yanrui’s approach involved direct interaction with residents, conducting surveys, and visiting households to gain insight into their needs and challenges.

"I discovered that many retirees in our community were low-income seniors," she explains. "Initially, my efforts were more about providing assistance, but after numerous interactions with the elderly, I was driven to find meaningful solutions to their problems."

Contrasting with the conventional short-term volunteer visits to nursing homes, Yanrui aims to build a dedicated team of "warriors" who embed themselves within the community, offering sustained support and making a lasting impact on the lives of the elderly.

What is “Leling Elderly Social Worker Service Center”?

Having set sights on her target demographic, Yanrui then switched her attention to naming the organization. She eventually chose the term "Leling", literally meaning “happy age”, inspired by its Singaporean origins. "The name reflects our vision," Yanrui explains, "which is to enable retirees to lead active and joyful lives and truly savor their golden years."

In 2006, Beijing's older communities were home to many low-income retirees, presenting Yanrui with the challenge of addressing their financial hardships. "These seniors needed essentials like money, rice, flour, and cooking oil. I wondered how best to assist them," she recalls. "I found a retired old lady who could knit, so I arranged for other retirees to learn this skill and then organized charity sales to boost their income."

Despite interacting daily with the elderly, Yanrui felt that her effort wasn’t enough. Driven by her dedication, she moved into the community to focus entirely on charitable work. "Healthcare was another critical need for the elderly," she notes. "I organized free clinics with volunteers and built trust through our ongoing engagement."

Inspired by her genuine commitment, the elderly began forming interest groups and named their activity room "Sunset Paradise." Some even created a support team to offer services like haircuts and blood pressure checks.

By 2009, Yanrui identified a significant demand for temporary home care workers and responded by training full-time personnel to provide these services. "The challenge with this model was its sustainability," she admits. "Many elderly people only opted for short-term, one-hour care to save costs."

Undeterred, Yanrui sought further education, attending social enterprise training courses organized by the British Embassy and studying day care systems in Japan. She aimed to integrate the social work concept of "small scale, multi-function, and sustainable development" into the community.

"I firmly believe that community-based elderly care allows seniors to remain in their homes and live better lives in familiar surroundings," she asserts. "Most elderly are ordinary working-class people with pensions. Providing them with more professional services is the 'inclusive' model that genuinely addresses the issue of elderly care."

COVID’s Darkest Moment

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yanrui faced some of the darkest moments of her career. Social service institutions were forced into strict lockdowns, which meant that the elderly in her care could not be sent to hospitals when they fell ill, and their families were unable to visit or assist them. This created immense emotional strain for Yanrui. "There were days when several elderly people would pass away in a single day," she recalls, "and it left me grappling with profound mental burnout."

There were times when Yanrui considered stepping away, especially in light of the initial setbacks and high employee turnover in the charitable sector. However, she remains steadfast in her belief that overcoming challenges transforms them into opportunities for growth, and she embraces the future with its unknowns.

Today, Yanrui has expanded her focus to include services for the disabled and those with mental health issues among the elderly, further intensifying her responsibilities. "I am more determined than ever," she says. "I truly believe that I can make an even greater impact."

Fond Memories of LKYSPP

Wang Yanrui is a 2021 graduate of the Master of Public Administration and Management Programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected her full experience at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Despite the interruption, she found the courses on project management and economics to be transformative, likening them to a "gas station" that fueled her international perspective.

"It’s unfortunate that many exchange and visit opportunities were canceled due to the pandemic," Yanrui reflects. "However, this period of study allowed me to slow down, enjoy the relaxing campus life, and engage in deep reflection. It expanded my thinking and, upon returning to China, I felt reinvigorated and focused on applying the social enterprise model to address the pressing issues posed by China's aging population."

For those aspiring to work in social services, Yanrui offers candid advice: "This field demands significant physical and mental resilience. There are no shortcuts; it’s a long-term process of building trust and requires deep, sustained engagement with the community."



As the population continues to age, Yanrui is optimistic about the future of community elderly care. She believes that increasing numbers of dedicated individuals will join the social service sector, driving its growth and contributing to economic development. "I am confident that the future of this field is boundless and will play a crucial role in promoting economic progress," she asserts.