Participant comments Christmas 2018#

Seeing the spectacular scenery of Baiwan, I thought it was a busy tourist destination. However, only some poor students live in there. We went to different schools to teach them knowledge in various areas. This not only helped them to increase their knowledge, but also made me realise helping others was the root of happiness.

From this volunteer event, I found that many of the poor students here are very smart. For example, when we played the maths game Rummikub, they knew how to constantly combine the cards in their hands so that the cards could be removed slowly. Their strategies were sometimes truly amazing. Although they are talented, their family cannot give them monetary support for further education. It is a shame that they cannot have the knowledge to change their fate and leave the vicious cycle of poverty. I hope more people can come to help them.

I was very lucky to have this opportunity to teach in Baiwan. I not only helped a lot of students, but also enriched my own experience. Firstly, I have gained valuable experience in teaching. I provided some of the knowledge that Baiwan students do not normally learn and broadened their horizons. Secondly, I have learned a lot of knowledge myself. Sometimes students listened attentively, and sometimes every one ignored the teacher. Encountered these situations, I learned to persevere and do not give up halfway. On the whole, this Baiwan trip is meaningful and interesting. I will definitely come again next time.

It was a really good experience going to Baiwan and teach people in need. After visiting a few homes and hearing their stories, I feel very grateful that I have an amazing family and education. This trip was a very valuable experience for me to have fun and also learn.

As the saying goes: “Knowledge changes fate.” “ After this Christmas holiday went to Baiwan, I began to question the veracity of the remark. The children there have a dream: some want to be a pilot, cook, teacher, entertainer and so on. Some want to see the outside world. Some just hope to live a stable life and to earn money outside to improve the quality of their family’s life. Maybe these are nothing to us, but they may be a bit extravagant for the Baiwan children. We visited a third grader’s home. He was very unfortunate. His mother ran away from home when he was younger and has never come back. His father also died two years ago, leaving behind his grandmother, a cousin and him. More importantly, he does not have identity documents, so he cannot leave Baiwan to attend high school, let alone work outside Baiwan. Even if he succeeds in completing his identity documents, he cannot afford to further his study outside Baiwan. So no matter how sensible he is, how hard he studies, how many books he learns, it is difficult to change his destiny.

These days of experience have made me understand how lucky I am and I hope to be able to help these children to the best of my ability. I think it is a pity that some of them are very smart and gifted, but do not have the opportunity to get a proper education to stimulate their potential. I hope that I can continue to come to Baiwan to teach next year and the year after… At the same time, I hope that more people can help the Baiwan children and give them financial, material and moral support.