The first time I saw Cao Miao Jiamei was in a salon, where she was invited to share her experience as a volunteer teacher. She was white and neat, with gentle words and crooked eyes when she smiled, which made people feel friendly at the first sight. We met again in a milk tea shop, her volunteer teaching story slowly unfolded in front of me in the warmth of milk incense.
Rooted in the dream, volunteer teaching is not bitter but sweet
“It is my dream to be a teacher”, Cao Miao Jiamei said laughingly. From Xishui Charity to Qinghe VISTA, from sending drama to the countryside to giving volunteer teaching in Guizhou, when talking about why she was so enthusiastic about volunteer teaching, she said it realized her dream of being a teacher in advance, and also ignited the children's longing. In most people's eyes, volunteer education is to work as "free labor" in the backward areas with inconvenient transportation, backward environment, out-of-date facilities and poor conditions. But for Cao Miao Jiamei, "volunteer teaching is one of the happiest things".
During the one-year period of supporting teaching in Guizhou, from not being recognized by students and being bullied by all kinds of pranks at the very beginning to being loved by everyone, Cao Miao Jiamei admitted that children's recognition was the best praise. When seeing the eager eyes of the children in the classroom, all the hardships and difficulties were nothing. “There is only a strong sense of responsibility at this time and I just want to teach them as much as I can.” It’s rooted in the dream and based on practice. “A year is not long, but we can do a lifelong unforgettable thing ". Volunteer teaching not only taught the children knowledge and skills, but also let herself, who had no worries about food and clothing, learn respect and gratitude from her students and learn to get simple pure happiness from the daily things.
Teach knowledge, and see the world
“Teacher, what are the Olympic Games?” Such a question deeply hurt the heart of Cao Miao Jiamei. So after class, she reflected on her teaching style and wrote the following line in her lesson book: 'take the kids to see the world'. In the following teaching days, in order to satisfy children's thirst for knowledge, she set up a series of interest courses, such as singing English songs and appreciating English movies. In a year, the kids have grown from never knowing what the Olympics are to succumbing to the magic of the Harry Potter world.
In addition to the innovation of classroom setting, Cao Miao Jiamei also organized and planned the activity of "building dreams of China --- bringing children to study in Wuhan". The initial stage of the event was faced with difficulties such as shortage of funds. In addition, both parents' and schools' concerns made it difficult to carry out the activity. "I called the parents, and some of them thought I was a liar, and many of them thought there was no need for a study tour.” Speaking of these, Cao Miao Jiamei seemed to be sad. Called again and again, promised again and again, visited again and again, just for that belief--- take the children to see the world.
Finally, with the joint efforts of many parties, the study tour was carried out smoothly. Children visited the Yellow Crane Tower, the Science and Technology Museum, and experience different college life and high school life on the campus of CCNU and no. 1 high school affiliated to CCNU. At the end of the six days, the seeds of dreams were sown in their hearts.
Love doesn’t know where it begins
Why volunteer teaching? Because in the heart of Cao Miao Jiamei, teacher is one of the most sacred professions in the world, who can forever see the smiling face of the youth, the future of the motherland. With the association of volunteer teaching, Cao Miao Jiamei, who has participated in many volunteer teaching teams, bluntly admitted she would adhere to volunteer teaching in the future". In her opinion, what the less developed areas needs most is continuous education support. Short-term and intermittent volunteer teaching activities are far from bringing practical effects to children. Only stable and reliable educational resources can really bring changes to children's volunteer teaching. Still in graduate school, she even set up a regular volunteer teaching team in her life plan.
“A year is not long, but we can do a lifetime unforgettable thing ". This is not only a slogan, but also a responsibility, a solemn commitment. With the deep roots in love, the courage to adhere to, and the desire for the children's smiling face, Cao Miao Jiamei constantly interprets the mission and value of not living up to the youth with her own actions.
Translator: Yao Jialing
Time：2019-4-17
