YNU graduate students become volunteer teachers

In a photograph at the Yunnan University History Museum, a group of children from the Derung ethnic group surround members of the Yunnan University Graduate Student Volunteer Teaching Team.

In 2013, Yunnan University (YNU) joined the China Graduate Student Volunteer Teaching Project. Over the last decade, 118 students have gone to eight schools in Nujiang, Lincang, Wenshan, Yuxi, and Qujing in Southwest China's Yunnan province for volunteer teaching purposes.

These volunteers encountered various hardships at different locations. Qi Xinjian, team leader of the first volunteer teaching team to Dulongjiang township, encountered heavy snow blocking the mountain road and had to walk with luggage for more than 10 kilometers. After encountering a mudslide disaster in the teaching area, Li Siyuan, a member of the fifth volunteer teaching team, experienced a complete interruption of water and electricity, and had to conduct classes by candlelight.

However, these difficulties did not shake the enthusiasm of the volunteer team members. The team recruits members a year in advance and prepares them through teaching qualification exams.

Member Ma Guoxian designed a teaching course for the children in Dulongjiang township. This program involves Yunnan wax printing and dyeing as the main content. Ma and the children created more than 200 cultural works of art.

The team members opened a variety of classes that included dancing, singing, handicrafts, and track and field. In addition, they conducted themed lectures covering career planning, knowledge expansion, and life education.