[Voluntary Organisation] A Regretless Year: Spread Knowledge And Love

 

“I don’t dare to say that I am bound to teach them well, but I will spare no efforts in devoting my energy to teaching them.” -- SHENG Xue

 

 

“Spend a short year doing something unforgettable for a lifetime.” -- HU Huadao

 

 

“Have down-to-earth dedication and do practical work.” --YANG Rou

 

 

As a part of a national project, the First Postgraduate Voluntary Group (FPVG) of GDUFS got on the train to Guizhou Province in the summer of 2015 and started their one-year voluntary teaching there, to support the development of education in remote regions of western China.

 

Members of FPVG took a group photo with the leaders of the school

 

To learn more about this program and their physical and spiritual journey over this year, we had an interview with two of the FPVG’s members, SHENG Xue and HU Huadao.

 

Their voluntary work is mainly composed of four parts, including educational poverty alleviation (teaching), setting up associations and holding various relevant activities, volunteering in the county and poverty alleviation centered on public welfare.

 

When asked about what drove her to participate in this project, SHENG Xue cited a famous remark by the great Chinese ancient thinker Mencius: “Compassion is a feeling shared by all men.” She said that everyone has a sentiment towards romanticism, hoping to make a difference to the world. Instead of hesitating for a long time, she was determined to grab this opportunity upon seeing this notice in her email box, so she prepared hard and well for the interview. Her family is very supportive and encourages her to pursue whatever she loves.

 

Spread Knowledge

 

YANG Rou

 

HU Huadao

 

Zhenfeng Middle School in Zhenfeng County, Guizhou Province is better-equipped compared to some undeveloped regions’, but a lack of English education aid has always been a shortcoming. Therefore, FPVG made a teaching plan and insisted on teaching in full English in class. “ I think one of the most important qualities a teacher should have is a good personal influence” HU Huadao, a member of FPVG said. This quality is what the three members showed in classes. They are humorous and easy-going. Their classes are instructive and interesting. Gradually, the students became less shy and were brave enough to speak English. Just as SHENG Xue explains: they stand for the power of youth and new blood, and these attributes draw them closer to the students naturally.

 

English Corner

 

Apart from teaching English, FPVG also co-opted some activities in city schools and founded associations like English Drama Club and English Literature Club to enrich students’ extra-curricular life and arouse their interest in English learning. They also set up a series of English activities for the first time, such as English Dubbing Contest, English Hand-copied Newspaper Contest and English Corner. By setting up these activities, they succeeded in getting students involved in them and encouraging students to speak English.“The students learned through playing; they may not get good grades in English, but their abilities of imitation, presentation and imagination were definitely out of your expectation,” said HU. They attached great importance to maintaining vigor, vitality and interest.

 

SHENG Xue pointed out that initiative plays a pivotal role in the whole process. Since they are the first voluntary team that has ever gone there, they acts as pioneers and have to take the initiative in doing things in person and actively.

 

Spread Love

 

Playing with children at Christmas

 

As time went by, the three members got closer to the students and they became friends. HU recalled with a smile on his face, saying that he lived in a student dormitory at that time. Students next door to him often came at his room and chatted with him. He would listen carefully and know more about how they learn. Students would also like to share their life feelings, pouring out their hearts to him. When the weather was fine, they would even go outside together, climbing mountains and having fun, during which a precious emotion welled up, probably without being noticed. With a sparkle in his eyes, HU said that he liked to be with the students, since they are lovely.

 

 

 

Members with stay-at-home children

 

 

Apart from teaching, setting up associations and holding activities, the three members of the Postgraduate Voluntary Group also contribute to public welfare.

 

They went to visit and talk to stay-at-home (or leftover) children to let them know they matters. There are many people who are concerned about them. Through the visit, they saw the urge for the nation and society to put forward some laws and policies aiming to protect these children and spread love to them.

 

Members helped do farm work

 

In one case, they raised money for a kid’s mother who is a farmer and cannot afford the high fee resulting from her treatment towards cancer. Although they raised 8000 yuan for her eventually, sadly she passed away. “I felt so bad for her the moment I heard the news,” said SHENG and a slight hint of sorrow flashed through her. “I still remembered that one day, weather being fine, we and some classmates of that kid went to her house to care for her mom. We then went down to the farm and assist her in reaping the golden wheat. We were quite happy, then” she recalled, sitting back in her chair. Warm sun rays cast on the beautiful golden wheat land and when breeze blew through as if it turned into a sea of gold color, and people laughed and chatted in it, enjoying the brisk autumn weather, regardless of any anxiety.

 

“So how about that kid now,” I asked. “Well, she graduated from high school and we continue to sponsor her college tuition. I hope that everything is fine with her,” she responded.

 

About choice and reflection

 

Group photo

 

“If I were to have a second chance, I would still stick to my previous choice and chose to be there with the students” said HU. Although he used to be dissuaded by his parents and got serious climate sickness, or couldn’t become accustomed to eating spicy local food and couldn’t well understand the dialect there, HU managed to overcome all these difficulties and now, still firmly saying that he is not regretful. “Being involved without a utilitarian purpose, I think this is the real meaning of public welfare. Even a small thing can be a public service if it can help someone,” said HU. “Spend a short year doing something unforgettable for a lifetime. What I did is meaningful and made me realize my self-value. So I don’t think a year of my youth was spent in vain.”

 

Similar opinions are shared by SHENG Xue. She said that she has never considered this as a huge sacrifice because it’s something she wants to do. “I went there with great anticipation of experiencing a totally different life and seeing totally different things,” said SHENG with a bright smile, “and gratefully I have achieved these goals. By the way, the scenery is so amazing that you will find pictures are there and you just take them.”

 

However, there exists a little regret making it imperfect. For example, some students can’t get rid of the bad habit of preferring to be idle and lazy instead working hard persistently because of her temperate temper and not that rigorous attitude towards students. She seemed dull when talked about this matter, and she said she was a little disappointed about some of the students out of her anticipation for them to have a promising future. She advised that being a good teacher needs authority to some extent so as to push their students to move forward.

 

Looking to the future

 

The logo of GDUFS’s first postgraduate voluntary group

 

 

Now the three members have come back to GDUFS to continue their studies as postgraduates. The Second Postgraduate Voluntary Group has gone to Guizhou Province to continue the spread of knowledge and love. They and we all wish the best for this meaningful project and anticipate a promising future for the children there.

 

Students at Zhenfeng Middle School

 

Volunteering never stops; voluntary spirits never die.