Co-organised by the Macao Association of Teachers Volunteers and Macao Polytechnic Institute, a “Volunteer Teaching at Rural Village” activity took place in Chenzhou city, Hunan province, China from 29th March to 1st April 2013. About 70 participants took part in the activity, including teachers and students from a number of schools and universities in Macau. Three BCom students, led by Ms Liang from the Faculty of Management, City University of Macau (City U), joined the activity for volunteer teaching. Through the four days of volunteering at schools, visiting families and local welfare institutions, the volunteer teaching group was able to experience learning and living in the poverty stricken environment, as well as teaching in poor villages with limited resources.
The volunteer teaching group set off from Macau at 8:00 am on 29th March. Having arrived at Chenzhou city at 1:00 pm, the participants started to shop for materials for teaching and local welfare institution visit. At night, Ms Liang and her students were preparing teaching materials for lectures on geography, English and music, and planning activities for the next day. A range of learning games was incorporated into the class activities. The teaching group and local students spent a very pleasant and meaningful weekend together. Apart from teaching, Ms Liang and her students also made a visit to the local families to send their warmth and support.
On 31sth March, on behalf of City U, Ms Liang visited a welfare institution in the Northern Lake District, Chenzhou, and sent gifts and blessings to the elderly and disabled orphans. On the next day, the volunteer teaching group headed back to Macau.
Not only did this volunteer teaching activity provide valuable experience for the participants, but it also brought blessings to the local people. This activity was definitely emotionally rewarding and spiritually uplifting. It is hoped that more City U students will get involved in volunteer activities for personal growth.
