Translated by: Han Jie
Edited by: D. Parker
Date: Sep.24,2017
In August 2017, 13 Han and Tibetan student volunteers of "Quyong Cuomu" volunteer service studio from Harbin Institute of Technology gathered in front of the school as they prepared to set foot on the social practice bringing knowledge and hope to Lhasa. It began with three days of travel from Harbin in the far northeast, across the mountains and rivers, passing through Beijing, Xi'an, Lanzhou and Xining. Members were full of enthusiasm and energy, proving their spirit of volunteer service with practical action. Keeping in mind the exhortations of HIT, defying altitude sickness and with lots of hard work, they forged ahead with the successful completion of the 2017 summer social practice.
“Love at sunset, respect for the elderly”
Respecting, loving and helping the elderly are our traditional Chinese virtues. “Galsang Flower” social practice team continued to carry forward these virtues with love and practical action. The members took the donated materials raised and 175kg of donated clothing from HIT to the Nanmu nursing home in Nanmu, Qushui Tibet. They picked the most suitable clothing for each elderly person. When these precious people received the coats, smiles came to their faces; the hearts of volunteers were also warmed. Warmth from across the whole of China embraced the older people through our hands.
When we left, our new friends sent us on our way with “Good Luck,” “Thank You” and happy smiles on their faces. The roar of the car started, and we watched as they gradually narrowed into a black spot, and then disappeared. We looked at the way to the road, and a sense of loss filled our hearts.
“Silk Road in New World, Youth in China Dream”
“B&R” strategic concept provided a strategic opportunity and a clearer direction for the rapid development of Tibet. In this context, taking targeted measures to help people in Tibet lift themselves out of poverty is bound to show a new look. “Galsang Flower” social practice team and Weihai education assistance group went to Lhasa, Shigatse, Sakya and other locations in Tibet to carry out education, health care by taking targeted measures to help the people of Tibet lift themselves out of poverty under the“B&R initials” background.
At 4400 meters above sea level, the team members at times lacked oxygen but not spirit and determination. Each group of four visited the Board of Education, Tourism Development Committee, Civil Affairs Bureau, Poverty Alleviation Office, Health Bureau, Tibetan-sounthen Hospital, Tonghe Hospital in Shigatse. In Xigaze City education, tourism, poverty alleviation, medical and other hot issues were also investigated. Research was done in the areas of education, tourism, poverty relief and health care. Students looked at it using questionnaires, surveys, data analysis and other research methods to develop targeted measures to help the people lift themselves out of poverty. Students also investigated characteristics and existing problems, and then based on “B&R’s” large background and existing literature, provided a feasibility proposal for the development of specific poverty alleviation work in Tibet. Students were granted the recognition of access to the local government agencies, schools and public organizations. Throughout the research process, the team members grew in heart and mind..
“Spread the dream and pass our love”
The team came to the Sakya County in Shigatse Tibet with an elevation of 4400 meters to carry out support activities for education in a primary school. The school is located in a remote area where quality education is lacking and there are shortages of teaching resources. The altitude was high, but the members’ minds were higher. The poor living environment did not stop students from spreading knowledge and hope. After orientation with the teachers of the primary school of Sakya, the team members received their teaching tasks. The team members
The team members served as 10 class teachers with children from the second to sixth grades with each grade having two classes. Members took to heart their teaching tasks preparing lessons each night. They felt the deep love of the children in every touch. The children were shy but when they called us” teacher” these greetings washed away all of our weariness!
Lacking academic preparation in teaching techniques the volunteers were very concerned about the classroom preparation, but they worked hard to make the classroom full of fun as much as possible. Art Class was one of the most popular classes. In Sakya primary school, children have fewer opportunities for cultural and sports activities. The team brought the drawings of different painting schools as well as light mud, and taught the children to make mud models. When greeted, the children’s high hands and bright eyes filled with excitement shocked each of u., The children were able to complete the physical model with light mud immediately, which brought them a lot of fun. The world in children’s eyes is rich and colorful. Who would have imagined that ordinary light mud could turn into a new world through the imagination of children!
The “common knowledge class” was also carefully prepared class for the Tibetan children. In order to help them realize the importance of safety, students set up this course in many grades, mainly introducing emergency responses. For different grades different teaching methods were used. In the fifth grade English class, we played word games. The English level of the students was relatively weak, and playing word games quickly triggered their interest. Children were very studious, in fact, each of them were very good, and were all worth encouraging.
In order to enrich the children's extracurricular life, we brought amateur radio club fox terrier equipment designed by volunteers, and played together with children outdoors. After we demonstrated how to find the source of information through the direction of the machine, the children were able to play the game independently. This activity not only expanded the children's vision, but also helped them understand the radio technology through a process of teaching equipment research and development.
When the children left, they were eagerly asking, "Brother and sister, will you come here this afternoon? We will come again!” Meeting is always happy, but departing inevitably comes. Before leaving, the children held our hands not wanting us to leave.
“Spreading HITers spirit” High school publicity actions
In an effort to promote the outstanding traditions and spirit of HIT, our team came to Lhasa middle school. Through lectures and exhibitions, we shared the development, history and brilliant achievements of HIT. At the same time, we encouraged the high school students to follow their dreams. After the event, the team members received many letters of thanks from students.
“The journey of mind feeling by heart”
Our team members saw fruit in the growth in the children and at the same time we grew in the social practice process!
You Jingting from the School of Electrical Engineering & Automation of 2016:
Today is Teacher's Day. Children called me from far away in Tibet. I was surprised and I received their calls as a personal affirmation. Through this activity I developed friendships with those from different ethnic cultures and my sense of personal responsibility grew stronger.
Baima Suozhen from the School of Municipal and Environment Engineering of 2016:
I hope that the supporting education group can continue. We really felt their hardships as well as happiness. We were together almost half a month, I am proud of this journey and full of love and still miss the children. I am thankful for the companionship and the children’s good faith. This experience has brought personal growth a sublime contentment!
Guo Chongpu from the School of Electronics and Information Engineering of 2016:
The children are eager for knowledge, and to encounter the outside world; in short, they are eager for everything they have never seen in their childhood. I had the honor of opening a window for them to see the outside world. But there is also a “door” which only they can open by their own efforts. I will wait for them at the door with these words, “Come on, you can do it!”
Wu Zhixiao from the School of Computer Science and Technology of 2016:
I heard the children calling me “brother.” What an honor. Participating in this program was a very wise choice. If there is a chance, the next summer vacation, I will go again.
Yu Chuanmiao from the School of Electronics and Information Engineering of 2016:
When the students of Sakya primary school sang their song together, I realized that I had helped them learn this song. Hearing them sing was dream come true for me! I hope that Galsang flowers can always wander with the song high in the plateaus of 4200. May the song inspire students in Sakya primary school toward their own dreams.
Li Kunze from the School of Electronics and Information Engineering of 2016:
I could not help but think of the words written on my primary school corridor “the future of all children, and all for the children”. As seedlings, it is our honor to nurture and care for them as they grow into big and strong trees in the future. They will become more vigorous and shelter this country and this society. If the young people are strong then the country is also strong.
Yan Qi from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of 2016:
Our activities were like small stars in the night. Perhaps they cannot illuminate the whole world, but they can affect many nearby through our efforts. I believe that a single spark can start a prairie fire!
Zhang Ning from the School of Astronautics of 2016:
If memories are a kind of sadness, then parting is a pain. Their smiles in my memory are the best medicine. Wishing you forever happy in the distance!
Xu Yuan from the School of Electronics and Information Engineering of 2016:
Although I have left the piece of pure land, I still have a relationship with the children there because of the talks with them and encouraging them to study hard. In fact, they really need us to bring them different knowledge and feelings. I hope to meet them again next year.
Love in heart and love is boundless. The story of love and education continues, “Galsang flowers” will continue to move forward ... ...
