他們說我是“洋雷鋒”

文/Abdilahi Ismail Abdilahi （索馬里）

譯/Abdilahi Ismail Abdilahi 裴立坤

Many friends have asked me why I always participate in so many volunteer activities and whether I feel tired, given that volunteering is very laborious. Every time I’d like to answer: “I am tired without doubt,but the more I volunteer to do, the more I gain from it. I can gain a sense of joy and satisfaction every time I help others.” So many people helped me when I lived in China for so many years; thus, I want to help others and contribute more.

“Is there angthing I can do to help?”

While studying in Wuhan, I often served as a Spring Festival transport volunteer. The Spring Festival transport is a kind of China-specific phenomenon of the largest population migration in the world. The Chinese Spring Festival transport has a history of more than 30 years. With the rapid development of China, the services and relevant supports of the Spring Festival transport are also extensively promoted. As far as I know, many volunteers join the Spring Festival transport service team every year, and I am also honored to be one of them.

Before I became a volunteer for the Spring Festival transport, I didn’t know much about it. However, my Chinese teacher once played for us the movie “Lost on Journey,” in which there were clips about the Spring Festival transport. At that time, I thought it was very humorous and exciting, but I couldn’t understand why people had to go through all the difficulties to return home and reunite with their families before the Spring Festival.

Speaking of the first time when I served as a volunteer for the Spring Festival transport, it was the Lunar New Year’s Eve, and we gathered at 6:30 in the morning. At that time, it was still dark and frigid. We soon arrived at the train station. Many people were coming and going, all in a hurry with many bags. I had only seen these scenes on TV before and was pretty shocked when I was in it. At that time, I was mainly standing guard at the gate of Wuchang Railway Station, responsible for assisting passengers in buying tickets, giving directions, and helping with luggage. All of us were busy till 6 or 7 p.m. On the way back home,I lost my voice.

At that time, there was a fascinating story. A Chinese person could not use the self-service ticket machine. After I had helped to buy a ticket for him, he was particularly shocked and said: “A foreigner amazingly helped me to teach me how to buy a ticket.” He laughed after these words, and so did I. Some people brought their children over to chat and took pictures while waiting for the train. The most exciting thing was that the children were curious about our group of foreign volunteers. The cheerful children took the initiative to greet us, which was very cute.

伊斯曼在社區派出所做志愿者

其實有很多朋友會問我，做志愿者是一件非常辛苦的事，我為什么要參加這么多的志愿活動？不會覺得很累嗎？我每次都會說“累是肯定的，但是我付出越多，收獲也越多，每次幫助完其他人，我都能體會到一種由內而發的喜悅感和滿足感”。我在中國生活這么多年，有很多人都曾向我提供過幫助，所以我也想幫助他人，盡我的一份力量。

“有什么需要我幫忙的嗎？”

在武漢讀書的時候，我先后擔任過多次春運志愿者。春運是一種中國特有的世界上規模最為宏大的人口遷徙現象，中國春運的歷史已經有30多年了，隨著中國的快速發展，春運的各項服務和保障也更加完善，據我所知，每年都有大批志愿者加入到春運的服務中來，我也有幸成為其中的一員。

我在做春運志愿者之前對春運并不是特別了解，我的中文老師曾給我們播放過《人在囧途》這部電影，其中就有關于春運的片段，當時只覺得非常幽默，很有意思，但是不理解人們為什么要歷盡千辛萬苦也要在春節前趕回家和家人團聚。

我第一次做春運志愿者，正值農歷大年三十，早晨六點半集合，當時天還沒亮，漆黑一片，天氣特別冷。我們到達火車站時，到處都是進進出出的人群，黑壓壓的一片，人們都拿著大包小包，匆匆忙忙，這些場景我之前只在電視上看過，當真正身處其中時，我非常震撼。當時我主要是在武昌火車站門口站崗，負責協助乘客購票、指路、幫忙拿行李……我們所有人一直忙到下午六七點才結束，一整天都顧不上吃飯，在回程的路上嗓子都說不出話來。

當時有件特別有趣的事情，一個中國人不會使用自助購票機，我主動過去幫他買好票后，他特別震驚地說：“我居然讓一個外國人教我買票了。”他說完就笑了，我也笑了。有的人在候車的時候還會帶小孩子過來和我們合照，聊幾句天。最有意思的是小孩子們對我們這群外籍志愿者非常好奇，性格開朗的孩子們會主動和我們打招呼，非常可愛。

I remember that once, I was assigned as a Spring Festival transport volunteer at Wuhan Railway Station (high-speed rail station). That day was not the peak period of the Spring Festival transport. There were not many people. I was mainly responsible for guiding the way outside the high-speed rail station and helping passengers with luggage. Because I am a foreigner, many people did not come to ask me for help even though I was dressed as a volunteer. For example, when I was on duty at the train station gate, I saw an uncle bypassing several Chinese passers-by to ask for directions, but I still gained no results. I couldn’t wait to help, so I asked him if there was anything I could do to help. He was shocked when he heard me speaking Mandarin, and then he calmed down and asked me for directions. When I told him how to get there, he was shocked, saying that a foreigner knew more than him, a Chinese, and he laughed self-deprecatingly and thanked me repeatedly. When I finished volunteering and went home that day, I met an auntie at the bus stop looking at the stop sign with several big bags. I could see that she was a little confused about finding the right bus and wanted to ask others for help, but at that time, only me and she were on the platform. She looked at me, and I looked at her, and finally, I asked her: “What’s the matter? Do you need my help?” She seemed very happy to hear me speaking Chinese and asked me enthusiastically: “You speak Chinese so well! How long have you been in China?” After I answered her question, she told me she didn’t know which bus to take to Hankou Railway Station. I listened to her needs and quickly told her which bus to take and which stop to get off. She took my hand and said thank you several times, and she didn’t forget to wish me a Happy New Year before getting on the bus.

The winter in Wuhan was frigid, and the wind was mighty that day. Although I wore a hat, gloves, and a scarf, when I was doing volunteer work outdoors, I still felt like I was going to be frozen into a popsicle. Still, I encountered many simple, enthusiastic,lovely, and shy people. I received many sincere thanks, kind encouragement, praise, and warmth, which kept me warm all day and made me feel that the winter in Wuhan was not so cold.

By serving as a volunteer for the Spring Festival transport, I not only experienced the joy of helping others but also experienced the Spring Festival transport from a unique perspective. When I saw with my own eyes so many people crowded, carrying big and small bags, and some were holding their children, I could also feel the anticipation and joy in their hearts of seeing their family members from the smiles on their faces and their words.However, it was an arduous journey. I think the essence of hu-man beings is actually in common. We all yearn for a happy life with a family reunion and good health. Just as Marx said, the pursuit of the beauty of harmony is human instinct. Spring Festival transport is like a vivid sand painting of Chinese people’s dream of a happy life.

記得有一次我被分在武漢火車站（高鐵站）擔任春運志愿者，那一天正好不是春運的高峰期，人并不是很多，我主要是在高鐵站外面負責指路，幫乘客拿行李。因為我是外國人，雖然穿著志愿者的衣服，但是很多人并不會主動找我幫忙，比如我在火車站門口值班的時候，看到有一位大叔繞過我連續向幾個過路的中國人問路，但是依然問不出結果。我著急了，便主動上前詢問他：“有什么我能幫忙的嗎？”他聽到我說普通話驚了一下，然后放下心來向我問路，當我告訴他怎么走以后，他很詫異，說一個外國人居然比他這個中國人還了解得多，他一邊自嘲地笑笑一邊一遍遍地感謝我。那天結束志愿服務工作回家的時候，我在公交車站遇到一位阿姨，她拿著幾個大袋子，在看站牌。我看出來她有點弄不清楚怎么坐車，想向其他人求助，但是當時站臺只有我和她兩個人，她看看我，我也看看她，最后我還是主動上前問她：“有什么需要我幫忙的嗎？”聽到我說中文，她顯得非常高興，很熱情地問我：“你中文居然說得這么好！你來中國多久了？”我回答完她的問題后，她告訴我她不知道坐什么車去漢口火車站。我聽了趕緊告訴她坐幾路車、哪一站下車、下車后怎么走……她非常感謝我，拉著我的手和我說了好幾次謝謝，臨上車還不忘祝福我新年快樂。

武漢的冬天非常冷，那天風特別大，雖然戴了帽子、手套，還裹了圍巾，但是在室外做志愿者工作，還是會覺得要被凍成冰棍兒，可是遇到這么多樸實、熱情、可愛又靦腆的人們，得到這么多發自內心真摯的感謝，這么多親切的鼓勵和贊揚，這么多的溫暖，讓我一整天都暖暖的，甚至覺得武漢的冬天似乎沒有那么冷。

通過擔任春運志愿者，我不僅體會到了幫助他人的喜悅，還可以以獨特的視角去感知春運。親眼看到這么多的人，人擠人，每個人都拿著大包小包，有的人還抱著孩子，雖然非常辛苦，但從他們臉上洋溢的笑容中，從他們豁達的語言中，我也能體會到他們內心即將見到家人的期待和喜悅。我想人類的本質其實是共通的，我們都向往家人團聚、身體安康的幸福生活，就像馬克思所說“對和諧之美的追求是人類的本能”。春運就像中國人追求幸福生活的一幅幅生動的沙畫。

我還做過交通志愿者，就是在上下班早高峰的時候，在十字路口的紅綠燈處，穿著志愿者的服裝，戴著志愿者的帽子，拿上小紅旗維持交通秩序。剛開始的時候，當放學的孩子們看我們，我會覺得不好意思，特別是在巡街的時候常常會很害羞。以前我也在路邊看到拿著旗子、穿紅馬甲的人，那時還不知道他們的工作，就覺得他們一直站著保護行人的交通安全很辛苦。做了交通志愿者后更明白他們的辛苦，現在在北京，我也每天早上送孩子，看到志愿者大爺非常親切，經常和他打招呼，還成了朋友。

I also worked as a traffic volunteer in which, during the morning rush hour, at the traffic lights at the intersection, I wore volunteer clothes and hats and carried a small red flag to maintain traffic order. In the beginning, I would feel embarrassed when the kids after school looked at us. Especially when I was patrolling the streets, I was often timid. I used to see people holding flags and wearing red vests on the side of the road before. I didn’t know their jobs then, and I felt that it was tough for them to keep standing to protect the traffic safety of pedestrians. After becoming a traffic volunteer, I understand their hard work better. Now in Beijing, I also accompany my children to school every morning. I feel a close relationship when seeing the volunteers, and I often greet one uncle volunteer, and we become friends.

Be a person like Lei Feng

When I was a volunteer at the police station, the first dispute I dealt with was that two Congolese students accidentally spilled coffee on a passing Chinese while drinking in a coffee shop.They apologized to the Chinese, but they couldn’t understand each other’s language, so they misunderstood each other, which intensified the conflict, and thus they called the police. After arriving at the police station, I helped them translate, explain the misunderstanding, and finally, they reconciled. They all thanked me very much.

This is the first time I have dealt with such a conflict. This coordination made me realize that the language barrier could easily lead to misunderstandings. Therefore, following the original intention to help foreigners live more smoothly in China, I persevered on the road of volunteering. Although many mediations are related to minor conflicts and small troubles, I am very proud. I feel accomplished whenever I help others solve problems, as if I am a bridge between foreigners and Chinese.

Later, because I participated in volunteer work many times, I was selected as “Foreign Lei Feng” by the university. At that time, I didn’t know what the three words “ Foreign Leifeng”meant, nor did I know the meaning behind these three words. I thought this certificate was the same as the certificate I got as a volunteer before, which is just an ordinary certificate of merit,so I didn’t particularly care about it. Later, when chatting with a Chinese friend, I inadvertently mentioned winning the “ Foreign Leifeng” award. His eyes immediately changed when he looked at me and said with admiration: “Then you must be very accommodating. “ I didn’t quite understand his reaction when he just heard me say that I got the “Foreign Leifeng” volunteer award.Why did he say I’m amazing, given I haven’t told him what I did? My friend noticed my confusion and asked, “Do you know who Lei Feng is?” I said I didn’t know. He was so shocked that he started to introduce to me who Lei Feng was. It turned out that the person printed on the back of the red vests I often saw on the streets, campuses, stations, and other places was Lei Feng!

做像雷鋒那樣的人

在派出所做志愿者的時候，第一次處理的一個糾紛，是兩個剛果留學生在一家咖啡店喝咖啡的時候，不小心把咖啡灑在了一位路過的中國人身上，剛果留學生向這位中國人道歉，但是他們聽不懂彼此的語言，就產生了誤會，使矛盾激化，便報了警。來到派出所以后，我幫助他們翻譯，解釋清其中的誤會，最終化干戈為玉帛，他們都非常感謝我。

這是我第一次處理這樣的事情，通過這次協調處理，我意識到語言不通容易造成誤會。怎樣幫助外國人在中國生活得更為順利，帶著這樣的初心，我在志愿者的道路上堅持了下去。雖然很多的調解都是這樣那樣的小事情、小麻煩，但每次幫助他人解決問題后，我都非常自豪，很有成就感，就好像我是外國人和中國人之間溝通的橋梁。

后來因為多次參加志愿服務工作，我被學校評選為“洋雷鋒”。那時我并不知道“洋雷鋒”這三個字是什么意思，也不清楚這三個字背后又有什么含義，還以為這個獎狀和我之前擔任志愿者得到的證書一樣，只是一張很普通的獎狀，所以并沒有特別在意。直到后來有一次，我和我的一位中國朋友聊天時，無意間提起我曾得過“洋雷鋒”獎，他當時看我的眼神立馬變了，很佩服地說：“那你一定很厲害。”我有點不太理解他的反應，他只是聽我說我拿了“洋雷鋒”志愿者獎狀，我還沒告訴他我做了什么，他為什么就說我很厲害？我朋友看我一臉迷茫，就問我：“你知道雷鋒是誰嗎？”我說我其實不太清楚，他非常震驚，便開始向我介紹雷鋒是誰。原來我之前經常在大街上、校園里、車站等地方看到的志愿者們穿著的紅馬甲，紅馬甲背后印的那個人，居然就是雷鋒！

我的中國朋友告訴我，雷鋒雖然只是中國的一個普通人，但是他一生做了非常多的好事，幫助過許多人，因此在中國人心中有著特殊的地位。上到老人，下到小孩子，每個中國人都知道雷鋒。中國還專門設立每年的三月五日為“學雷鋒日”，倡導大家向雷鋒學習，多做好事。聽他講完雷鋒的故事，震撼之余，更多的是敬佩之情，我十分佩服雷鋒多做好事不留名的行為，也被中國民眾紀念他的行為感動。中國古代有一位著名歷史學家司馬遷曾在他的著作《史記》中寫道：“人固有一死，或重于泰山，或輕于鴻毛”。大意就是我們每個人都會走向生命終點，但是每個人這一生的價值卻不同，有的人為社會作出過巨大貢獻，他去世后，世人都會紀念他。我們無法決定自己生命的長度，但是我們可以提升生命的質量，我們可以向雷鋒學習，多去幫助他人，貢獻自己的一份力量，使自己活得更有價值。

My Chinese friends told me that although Lei Feng is just an ordinary person in China, he has done many good things and helped many people in his life, so he has a special place in the hearts of Chinese people. From the elderly to the children, every Chinese knows about Lei Feng. China also sets up March 5th every year as the “Day of Learning from Lei Feng” to encourage everyone to learn from Lei Feng and do more good deeds. After listening to the story of Lei Feng, I was not only shocked but had admiration. I admired Lei Feng’s behavior of doing good deeds without leaving his name, and I was also moved by the Chinese people’s memory of his behavior. Sima Qian, a famous historian in ancient China, once wrote in his book: “Man is inherently dead, or heavier than Mount Tai, or lighter than a feather.”The general idea is that each of us will go to the end of life, but the value of each person’s life is different. For those people who have made significant contributions to society, the world will remember them after their death. We cannot decide the length of life, but we can broaden the depth of life. We can learn from Lei Feng, help others more, contribute our strengths, and make our lives more valuable.

Teaching experience in Northwest China

After leaving the post-doctoral station, I chose to become a teacher. My experience of volunteer teaching in Northwest China many years ago prompted me to enter the teaching position. At that time, it was an activity organized by my university. My compatriots and I and our two Chinese classmates signed up to participate. A group of four set off for Haishiwan, Honggu District,Lanzhou City, Gansu Province. I had just come to China at that time, and my Chinese was not very good, but I was full of curiosity about China and wanted to know more. The passengers on the train were also interested in us. Our compatriots could speak good Chinese, so we chatted with them. Some people asked us where we were going by train. When they heard that we were going to teach in Haishiwan, people gave us thumbs up and said:“It’s amazing that foreigners actually go to such remote places to teach.”

After getting off the train, someone from the school came to pick us up. We took the car for a few hours and walked on a small road for a while. It was already dark, and it was apparent that the temperature here was relatively low. Fortunately, before setting off, I was especially reminded by the Chinese students to bring jackets. It was July, and the heat in Wuhan was unbearable,while the night here was chilly. We settled in the local dormitory specially prepared for us, right next to the school. I tossed and turned, thinking about the children we were about to meet. The next day I deliberately got up early. As soon as I opened the door,six or seven children were already around my room, looking at me curiously and then excitedly saying to their partners, “Wow!Foreigners!” Some children greeted me timidly by saying “Hello”to me. I looked at them and deliberately said “Hello” in Chinese.The children were even more shocked: “Wow! He can speak Chinese.” After discovering this, the children became more courageous and shook hands with me to say hello. Because of the children’s enthusiasm, I asked them what their names were, how old they were, what grades to go to, etc., and then the children were reluctant to leave for class.

西北支教的經歷

博士后出站后，我選擇成為一名老師，促使我走進教師崗位是源于多年前一次去中國西北地區支教的經歷。當時是我所在的大學組織的活動，我和我的同胞報名參加，還有我們的兩個中國同學，一行四人啟程前往甘肅省蘭州市紅古區海石灣。那個時候我剛來中國不久，中文也不是很好，但是對中國充滿了好奇，想了解更多。在火車上周圍的乘客對我們也很好奇，同胞的中文不錯，我們就和他們聊起來了，有人問我們坐火車去哪里，聽說我們是去海石灣支教，人們就沖我們豎大拇指，還說：“外國人居然去那么偏遠的地方支教，真厲害！”

下火車后，支教的學校有人來專門接我們，又坐了幾個小時的汽車，還走了一段時間的小路，天已經黑了，明顯感覺到這邊氣溫比較低，還好中國同學出發前特意提醒了我，讓我帶了外套，同樣是七月，武漢酷暑難耐，這里的夜晚涼氣襲人。我們來到當地為我們專門準備的宿舍，這個宿舍就在學校的旁邊，想著即將見面的孩子們我輾轉反復。第二天我特意早起，一開門，六七個小孩子早就圍在我的房間門口，正一臉好奇地看著我，然后很激動地和伙伴說：“哇！外國人！”還有小孩子怯生生地沖我說“HELLO”，和我打招呼。我看著他們特意用中文說了句“你好”，孩子們更加震驚了：“哇！他會說中文。”發現這點后，孩子們的膽量也變大了，和我握手問好，因為孩子們熱情，我便問了他們叫什么名字、多大了、上幾年級之類的問題，后來要上課了，孩子們才依依不舍地散開。

華中師范大學洋雷鋒志愿隊合影(左二為伊斯曼）

我負責教授一二三年級的英語課，一天兩到三節課，一周上四天課。每個年級一個班，一個班30多個孩子，一共教90多個孩子。從早上8點我就去給孩子們上課，一進教室，便能感受到孩子們的熱情，他們不停地和我打招呼。我教他們字母表、你好、你叫什么名字之類的較為簡單的英語。有的孩子學過，也有沒學過的，我提問的時候，孩子們都很積極，每個孩子都舉手大喊“我我我”，還有孩子甚至很興奮地站起來。下課后孩子們也會圍著我，不想讓我離開教室，雖然孩子們的英語水平一般，但他們還是會不停地嘗試用英語和我說話，包括中午在食堂吃飯的時候。后來家訪的時候我才知道他們大多數都是留守兒童，爸爸媽媽去外面打工，和爺爺奶奶在家里，我想他們的內心應該是很孤獨的吧，所以把我當哥哥一樣依賴我。

I taught English classes in grades 1, 2, and 3, two to three types a day, four days a week. There was one class in each grade, 30 children in a class, and a total of more than 90 children were taught.I had been teaching the children since 8 a.m. As soon as I entered the classroom, I could feel the enthusiasm of the children, who kept greeting me. I taught them relatively simple English, like the alphabet, hello, and what’s your name. Some children had studied, and some had not. When I asked questions, the children were very positive. Every child raised their hands and shouted“me, me, me”; some children even stood up excitedly. The kids also surrounded me after class and didn’t want me to leave the classroom. Although the children’s English level was ordinary,they kept trying to talk to me in English, including while eating lunch in the cafeteria. Later, when I visited their home, I learned that most of them were left-behind children. Their parents went out to work, and those children stayed home with their grandparents. I thought they must be very lonely in their hearts, so they relied on me like a brother.

我們從武漢出發時，有很多愛心人士給孩子們捐贈了書包、衣服之類的禮物，我們四個同學分成兩組，在不上課的時候每天負責去一個孩子家里做家訪、送禮物。我們是和學生一起回家，孩子們回家沒有公交車，也沒有自行車，基本都是靠步行，我們走了半個多小時，才到學生家里。這邊的泥土是紅色的，但是地上灑了水，灰塵不太大。每家的門都特別大，進大門的時候還能看到旁邊有羊圈和牛圈。房子大都是泥土做的，床也是用泥土做的，當地叫作炕。大多數家里只有爺爺奶奶，中國同學會向家長介紹我們是從武漢來的留學生，家長剛開始不好意思和我說話，但是很熱情，立馬給我們燒水、倒茶，還要給我們做飯，我們不想麻煩他們，說還要去其他學生家里，怕時間來不及，不讓學生家長做飯，便要離開，那些爺爺奶奶拉著我們的手，說著感謝的話，依依不舍地送我們走好遠的路，回程的路上我心里一直都是暖暖的。

那時我來中國的時間并不長，才一年多，以為中國到處都像武漢一樣現代化，對中國的了解也不是很深。第一次來到海石灣，我感受到了中國的鄉村，雖然這里的生活條件較一般，但是人們質樸熱情，為了美好生活努力奮斗。鎮里還有人聽說了我們來學校支教，特意過來請我們吃飯，準備了很多很豐盛的菜，我感覺這是我來中國第一次受到這么熱情的招待，吃著飯菜，看著周圍熱情的人們，我感覺就像回到了家鄉。我在鎮上買衣服的時候，店鋪老板知道我們是支教志愿者后對我們特別親切，甚至還給我們打了折。

我們在海石灣教了一個多月的英語，因為暑假快結束我們只能依依不舍地告別，離開的時候，孩子們送了我很多禮物，有花、手鏈之類的。有一個年紀比較大的孩子還留了我的QQ號碼，后來他一直在QQ上發消息問我，下學期還會來嗎？什么時候再回去？在回程的路上我告訴自己如果有機會一定要回去再看看那里的孩子們。因為當時支教時，我的漢語水平不是很好，我有些慚愧，覺得自己對學生們的幫助不是很大。如果我的漢語水平提高了，我是不是可以教他們更多的知識呢？雖然我在海石灣只待了短短一個多月，但是那段經歷到現在都記憶猶新，回憶里有溫暖也有感動，我還記得每一個孩子的名字，和那里人們一路給予我們的善意。正是這次經歷，讓我對中國有了更深層的認識，也在志愿者的道路上走得更遠，也對從事教師這個職業有了堅定的信心。

When setting off from Wuhan, We carried many gifts donated by people such as schoolbags and clothes to the children. Four of our classmates were divided into two groups. When we were not in class, we were responsible for visiting a child’s home every day and giving gifts. After that, we went home with the students.There were no buses or bicycles for the children to go home.They walked on foot. We walked for more than half an hour before we arrived at the students’ home. The soil here was red, but the ground was sprinkled with water, and there was little dust.The door of each house was massive, and when you entered the door, you could see the sheep fold and cow fold next to it. Most homes were made of mud, and the beds were also made of earth,which was called “Kang” in the local area. Most families have only grandparents with children. The Chinese classmates introduced to them that we were international students from Wuhan.The student’s families were embarrassed to talk to me at first,but they were very enthusiastic. They immediately boiled water,poured tea, and cooked for us. We didn’t want to bother them,saying we would go to other students’ home. Finally, we were afraid that the time would be too late and did not want to bother to cook, so we had to leave. Those grandparents took our hand,said thanks, and reluctantly sent us away. My heart had always been warm on the way back.

At that time, I had just been in China for over a year. I thought that China was as modern as Wuhan everywhere, and I didn’t know much about China. The first time I came to Haishiwan,I saw in person the Chinese countryside. Although the living conditions here are relatively plain, the people are simple and enthusiastic and work hard for a better life. Some people in the town heard that we came to the school to teach, and specially came to invite us to dinner, and prepared a lot of dishes. This is the first time I have received such a warm reception in China. I feel like I’m back home. When I was shopping for clothes in the town, the shop owner was very kind to us after knowing that we were volunteers, and even gave us a discount.

We taught English in Haishiwan for more than a month. While the summer vacation was ending, we could only reluctantly say goodbye. The children gave me a lot of gifts, such as flowers and bracelets. There was an older child who asked for my QQ account. Later, he kept sending messages on QQ, asking whether I could come next semester and when. On the way back I told myself to go back and see the kids if I had the chance. Because my Chinese level was not very good when I volunteered then,I felt a little ashamed and thought I was not very helpful to the students. I can teach them more knowledge if I can speak better Chinese. Although I only stay in Haishiwan for over a month,the experience is still fresh in my memory. The memories are warm and moving. I still remember the names of every child and the kindness that people there gave us along the way. This experience enables me to have a deeper understanding of China,inspires me to go further on the road of volunteering, and gives me firm confidence in the profession of teaching.