Teacher Li Buran is a 19-year-old preschool teacher from our Send a Volunteer Teacher Program (SVT). Since September of the previous year, she has been facilitating art classes and cheerleading for 42 children in China. She shares her experiences through a lovely letter.
Two or Three Years in a Blink, Another Autumn Has Come. Time flies, and here I am, finally standing on the podium as a teacher, fulfilling the words I once shared with my friends: ‘Youth is destined for distant horizons.’
Joining the Send a Volunteer Teacher Program and becoming a volunteer teacher has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. During this time, I’ve gained so much and felt genuinely happy! Of course, there were moments when I missed home, but the care and kindness of experienced volunteer teachers filled the void. Whenever supplies arrived, they always prioritized the new teachers, especially us girls. When a cold swept through the group, they even made ginger cola for everyone!
So many memorable moments happened during my time teaching. One day, a student in my class asked me, “Teacher, did you also come from a faraway place? My dad works far away too, but he’ll be back soon. When he comes back, I’ll ask him to pay you and buy you some delicious spicy sticks.”
I was stunned. Spicy sticks, to us, are just a cheap snack, sometimes dismissed as unhealthy or unsanitary. But to these kids, they’re a rare treat—the best snack they could think of. Their willingness to offer me what they considered the very best deeply touched me.
I especially loved doing crafts with the children. Their imaginations always surprised me. Together, we created so many delightful things: “fingerprint trees,” “handprint class flags,” and “clay photo frames.” Each creation was beautiful in its own way!
And just like that, it’s the end of the semester. How quickly time has passed! When I first arrived, the children were unruly. They didn’t follow rules, the classroom was chaotic, they didn’t wash their hands, and they didn’t know how to line up. But after a semester of teaching, they’ve become so well-behaved and attentive. Sometimes, when they see me carrying something heavy, they’ll rush over to help. They truly are little angels!
If I have the chance, I’d love to return here after graduation and continue my work as a volunteer teacher. These children and this experience have left an irreplaceable mark on my heart.
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