Reported by: SHANG Yankai and LAN Rui
Translated by: LU Zhixiu
Edited by: Patti Broderick
Updated: 2012-3-12
March 5, on the library plaza, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) launched the Learn from Lei Feng Year (LFLFY) with the theme Emulate Lei Feng - Become a Contemporary Pioneer. In support of the Chinese Communist Youth League and HIT’s Party Committee, HIT designated the year 2012 as the LFLFY to encourage all league members to develop a lifestyle characterized by charity and hard work as emulated by Lei Feng. 25 HIT departments organized teams to perform voluntary service throughout the year on campus and in the community.
After the kick-off, students launched inaugural volunteer activities across the campus and throughout Harbin. The School of Computer Science and Technology volunteers joined forces with the Microsoft Technology Club to offer students free computer services in the lobbies of dormitories A02 and A15. School of Material Science and Technology volunteers recruited students to donate blood to the Heilongjiang Blood Center Blood Drive at a temporary clinic set-up in front of Xueyuan Building.
Beyond the campus, students volunteered enthusiastically. School of Astronautics volunteers offered children from low-income families in the Leyuan Community free tutoring sessions, school supplies and books. School of Civil Engineering volunteers organized a Learn from Our Role Model Lei Feng orientation for the children of Changsheng Village migrant workers. The School of Management sent its volunteers to the Huayuan Street Police Station to assist officers in their community service activities. Other HIT schools and departments also organized student volunteers to carry out various activities, which earned many positive responses.
Being new to Harbin and volunteer opportunities in the city, freshmen on second campus creatively offered assistance to a variety of groups. Students provided free bottles of water and personally designed thank-you cards to twelve city bus drivers throughout the area. On Women's Day others presented female dormitory staff with heartfelt letters of appreciation. In cooperation with the HIT Volunteer Association, several groups of freshmen visited local nursing homes where they shared stories and songs with the residents. Some students volunteered weekend hours at a local children's book club that helps to distribute and read books to impoverished children in local villages. Even the local animal shelter benefited, as several freshmen volunteered weekend hours to help with feeding, playing and cleaning.
Lei Feng (1940 – 1962) was a soldier in the People’s Liberation Army of China posthumously thrust into the limelight by Chairman Mao Zedong as a model citizen of selflessness and modesty becoming today a cultural icon representing sincerity and service.
“We are here today to learn from Lei Feng, who inspires us to serve our country and fellow citizens in the spirit of devotion, friendship, and compassion. We, the youth volunteers, are everywhere where there is need,” remarked volunteer LIU Jie.
Learn from Lei Feng Year Kick Off
HIT Department representatives in Library Plaza declare their commitment to Lei Feng Year
Volunteers sign the banner launching HIT’s Lei Feng Year
The School of Computer Science and Technology provides free computer diagnoses and treatment
The School of Material Science and Technology organizes a blood drive
School of Management volunteers assist a police officer at the Huayuan Police Station
Freshmen students volunteer to help local school children.
Freshman student visits nursing home.
Freshman students celebrate Women’s Day expressing appreciation for dormitory housekeepers.
