Alice Huang, G11, RDF International School

This Christmas holiday, I signed up for a volunteer teaching activity in Guizhou, a province located in Southwest China. Over the course of six days, I found myself profoundly moved by the local students and residents, gaining valuable insights from the experience.

We taught at a primary school situated in Danzhai County, nestled within the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, where the majority of inhabitants belong to the ethnic Miao and Tong communities. The region’s mountainous terrain and scarce natural resources necessitate many adults to seek work opportunities in larger urban centers, leaving children to attend school in their hometown while assisting their grandparents with household chores — a revelation that astonished me.

Despite limited learning resources and simple facilities, most students study harder than their counterparts in developed cities. Interacting with them, I discovered a shared aspiration to attend university and broaden their horizons beyond the confines of the mountains. We also visited some local families and found that many students live with their grandparents already in their twilight years. The seniors persist in farming and raising livestock, such as pigs and sheep, to ensure a better life for the younger generation. Their unwavering commitment to education and their optimistic outlook on life inspired me.

As my time in Guizhou drew to a close, bidding farewell to these endearing students was a heart-rending experience. On the last day, I gave the local students my phone number and address, inviting them to a visit in my hometown Shenzhen.

Through this experience, I kindled genuine friendships with both the students and local residents, who expressed profound gratitude toward us volunteers.

I found myself genuinely grateful for this teaching experience, as it instilled in me a deep admiration for the locals’ strong work ethic and optimism.

This experience has led me to appreciate the resources and opportunities afforded to me.

Casting one last gaze upon the serene landscape of the village before departure, I whispered to myself, “Thank you, my dear students and friends. I will treasure the lessons learned and hope for the chance to reunite with you.”