Zhejiang University's teaching team record of the second day at Mataipo
The morning sun pierced the clouds to shine on the fields of Mataipo. The children's laughter accompanied by the sound of the cocks opened a new day in the life of the teaching team from Zhejiang University in Mataipo.
Today, several member of the team went down to buy some supplies, while I stayed with another 3 members of our staff. The four of us are responsible to teach two classes, it is really hard work. At first, teaching made us feel that we had to face challenges everywhere, but the eyes of the children make us aware of our own responsibility, and their innocent smile dissolves all of our worries and fatigue, so we whole-heartedly start communicating with them. While the course progress steadily, in our evening meetings we also discuss matters related to visits and research.
Up to today, I feel that the thing that made the deepest impression in my heart was to teach an art lesson to the students of second year of Primary. I asked them to draw a picture of a friend or classmate sitting beside them, and then on the back of the paper write that person's name and let everyone guess who was the person in the picture. All of them whole-heartedly started their own creations, sneaking glances from time to time at the subjects they were drawing, and I took advantage of this opportunity to record their attitude and actions. There are a few daring girls that stood up and asked me: "teacher, can I draw you a skirt?" and some children were whispering my name in a soft voice. At this moment, I understand that what they are drawing is myself, and I feel pleased and moved at this. A class period was over, so I collected the class paintings. At least half of the class pictures were of myself or the rest of the teachers that have come here. We have been with the children just for two days, and I cannot even remember well all of their names, but they are willing to use all their creativity to paint what we are in their eyes. I was touched by this small but sincere affection of the children. Their honesty and sincerity is the most wonderful gift to us.
Being together with the kids, we never stopped getting surprised and moved as how all of us are growing. We can see with our own eyes what kind of children they are, what do they need, and all of them have this kind of affection for us. This is really what our teaching support has brought to us: inside this reality, we get to know this kids better and better, and get to know ourselves as well. We have been changed a little by them, and we are very willing to do more for them. We hold a wrap-up meeting session in the end of the day, and in the heart of each of us we light up new expectations for a new day.
Shi Jingyuan (石静媛)