Drifting Library
The Yunnan Drifting Library was established in 2014 as a charitable organization involving youth aged 10 to 18. Its primary mission is to build libraries in rural schools and collect and donate clothing to families in need. To date, the organization has donated over 30,000 books, 120 sets of bookshelves, more than 2,770 sets of school supplies, and over 49,200 items of clothing. The organization has also conducted classroom exchange activities. These efforts, sustained over 10 years, have earned recognition and support from local schools, socialist new rural counselors, and educational departments at the state, municipal, and county levels. Through ongoing rural activities, the organization's members have conducted social research in rural areas, experienced the simplicity, depth, and cultural richness of the people across China, broadened their perspectives, and learned humility through their interactions with historical villages. This has laid a solid foundation for their future contributions to the development of the nation.
Tiandeng Primary School in Miaowei (2015)
Overview:
In this phase of the Floating Library project, we visited Tiandeng Primary School, a remote school perched on a mountain, and later traveled to Nuodeng Village, a historically significant yet impoverished area. Both experiences highlighted the challenges faced by these isolated communities and underscored the importance of providing educational resources and support to underprivileged regions.
Key Contributions:
-
Volunteer Teaching at Tiandeng Primary School: I led art and music activities for first-grade students, engaging them in creative drawing games such as "Pin the Nose" and "You Draw, I Guess." Despite their isolation, the students' artistic skills and enthusiasm were impressive. They also performed a touching song and dance for us, showcasing their rich cultural heritage as members of the Lisu ethnic group.
-
Cultural Insights in Nuodeng Village: During our stay in Nuodeng, we conducted interviews with local villagers to better understand their educational and social challenges. I learned about the community's struggles with access to education, particularly the story of a 13-year-old girl who dreams of studying in the county but faces opposition from her family.
-
Meeting the Village Doctor: One of the most memorable encounters was with Mr. Li, an elderly village doctor deeply respected by the local community. Despite his modest lifestyle, he continued to provide free consultations, only charging for medicine. His dedication to the village and its people left a lasting impression on me.
Dizhengdang Village in Dulongjiang Township, Nujiang Prefecture (2016)
Overview:
In the summer of 2016, as part of our third year in charity work， I traveled to Dizhengdang Village, located in the remote Dulong River Autonomous County. This village, which only gained road access in 2014, was our destination after a three-day journey involving flights, car rides, and challenging weather conditions including landslides and floods.
Key Contributions:
-
Charity Preparation: Starting in May, our charity group, Yunnan Drifting Library, organized a donation drive for preschool children in the village. We collected over 500 books, 65 winter jackets, and various school supplies through social media campaigns and fundraising efforts such as handmade lollipop sales by students from schools in Shanghai.
-
Building a Library: Upon arriving at Dizhengdang, we assembled bookshelves and organized the donated books into a new reading space for the children. This small library became a beacon of hope, offering educational resources that were previously unavailable.
-
Educational Support: During our stay, we conducted art lessons using colored pens and clay, teaching children to create their own artwork. We even had to teach basic skills, such as unwrapping candy, which highlighted the gap in resources and knowledge in this remote community.
Simiao No. 7 Primary School in Pu’er City (2017)
Overview:
Our team brought over 5,000 donated books and educational supplies to Simiao No. 7 Primary School, a remote school primarily serving children from underprivileged families and migrant workers. This was the third library established by our organization, aiming to promote reading and provide students with access to knowledge that they otherwise lacked.
Key Contributions:
-
Logistics and Resource Organization: Coordinated the collection, cataloging, and transportation of thousands of books and supplies. This involved fundraising through activities like selling handmade lollipops and spring festival couplets to cover shipping costs.
-
Library Setup: Collaborated with students to assemble bookshelves and organize the books into 13 categories. Our team worked together with the school’s students to build and install 20 bookshelves, making the library a reality in just one afternoon.
-
Educational Activities: Our team of volunteers prepared interactive lessons and workshops for different age groups. Activities included shared reading sessions, art lessons, and even historical drama reenactments, all aimed at encouraging students' creativity and engagement with books.
-
Community and Cultural Exchange: We had the opportunity to connect with local students and teachers through various activities, ranging from jump rope competitions to discussions on campus culture and educational strategies.
Huanneng Hope Primary School in Miaowei (2018)
Overview:
This time, we went to Miaowei Hope Primary School, a nine-year compulsory education school along the Lancang River. The initiative was designed to promote reading and provide educational resources to students in underserved areas, enriching their school environments and expanding their access to knowledge.
Key Contributions:
-
Volunteer Teaching: As a volunteer teacher, I taught three classes at Miaowei Hope Primary School, including history, calligraphy, and story reading sessions. Students were eager to learn about ancient Chinese poetry, stories from The Magic School Bus, and the beauty of Chinese calligraphy. Their enthusiasm, especially during calligraphy lessons where they asked me to write their names, left a lasting impression on me.
-
Emotional Connection: The students' eagerness for knowledge was evident in their desire for us to stay longer, asking repeatedly when we would return. Their warm welcomes and the sight of their hopeful eyes made this experience both touching and rewarding.
-
Library Setup: At the nine-year compulsory education school, despite the upcoming relocation of the school, our team built three bookshelves, ensuring that the donated books would have a place in the new library once the school moved. We plan to follow up and ensure the books are properly shelved after the relocation.
Liming Primary School, Lijiang (2019)
Overview:
In 2019, we went to Liming, Laojun Mountain, Lijiang. Our goal was to set up a library and provide creative educational activities for students at Liming Primary School, a remote school with limited resources. Despite logistical challenges, such as missing essential screws for bookshelf assembly, we adapted and successfully completed the project, impacting the lives of over 500 students.
Key Contributions:
-
Resource Organization and Setup: Collaborated with the team to collect, transport, and assemble over 5,000 donated books. When we discovered that key components for building the bookshelves were missing, we swiftly adjusted the schedule and sourced the screws from Kunming, ensuring the project stayed on track.
-
Teaching and Engagement: Led interactive activities such as paper folding and clay modeling for the students. Through these activities, I not only engaged the children in creative learning but also developed patience and adaptability as I worked closely with them to ensure every student completed their project.
-
Emotional Impact: One of the most memorable moments was meeting a girl who, though the same age as me, was only in first grade due to lack of educational resources. Her story, along with the principal's efforts to bring back students who had dropped out, highlighted the critical role of education in transforming lives in remote areas.
Bayerheart Children's Home, Mengzhen Village, Xishuangbanna (2020)
Overview:
Our team engaged with local children in a variety of activities, from learning the Dai script to participating in a theater workshop. We also explored the region’s religious and cultural traditions, deepening our understanding of the local way of life.
Key Contributions:
-
Cultural Exchange: Learned the Dai script alongside local children, highlighting both the preservation of cultural heritage for them and an opportunity to expand our own knowledge of languages and traditions.
-
Creative Workshops: Led a clay modeling session where the children crafted imaginative scenes, fostering creativity and teamwork. I worked with a group to create a zoo scene, a project that underscored the children's rich imaginations and playful spirit.
-
Theater Workshop: Conducted a theater workshop, guiding children through role-playing, performance, and prop-making. This workshop was a highlight, as it allowed us to collaborate closely with the children in a fun and educational environment.
-
Cultural Learning: Visited a local temple to learn about the community's religious practices and traditions, understanding the role of temples in the lives of the elderly and the cultural importance of religious education.
Simiao No. 7 Primary School, Pu'er City (2021)
Overview:
We revisited Simiao No. 7 Primary School in Pu'er City for the second time. Over the past five years, I have witnessed the school's remarkable transformation, including improvements in school atmosphere, student performance, teacher engagement, and infrastructure development. This year, we donated 2,365 books and conducted a two-day educational exchange, including career exploration courses, in-depth reading sessions, and collaborative painting activities with the students.
Key Contributions:
-
Career Exploration Courses: Delivered five specialized lessons introducing students to a variety of fields including economics, political science, communications, film studies, visual arts, and ecology. These lessons aimed to broaden the students' understanding of potential career paths beyond commonly known options like astronauts or dancers.
-
Reading and Literacy Development: Led reading sessions for first and fifth-grade students, including an interactive deep dive into The Fox and the Star for younger students and My Memories of Old Beijing for older students. These sessions focused on improving reading comprehension and teaching effective reading strategies.
-
Collaborative Art Project: Organized and participated in the creation of two large-scale 2m x 10m collaborative paintings with 100 students, fostering creativity and teamwork. This activity allowed students to express their imaginations through art while learning about visual composition and color theory.
Luchun Welfare Kindergarten, Yi and Miao Autonomous County, Yunnan Province (2022)
Overview:
In 2022, we conducted a five-day project at Luchun Welfare Kindergarten, located in the Yi and Miao Autonomous County of Yunnan Province. Our primary focus was to establish a picture book library for the children and lead workshops aimed at teaching the older students how to read picture books and engage in hands-on crafts.
Key Contributions:
-
Library Setup: Collaborated with the team to organize and set up a new picture book library, ensuring that the children had access to a variety of books suited to their age and interests. This library became an important resource for the students to explore new stories and develop early literacy skills.
-
Reading Workshops: Led interactive picture book reading sessions with older students, where we taught them reading strategies and how to engage with stories through discussion and reflection. The goal was to make reading a fun and interactive experience, fostering a love for books.
-
Craft and Art Workshops: Conducted hands-on craft sessions where the students learned to create art projects based on the themes of the books we read. These activities included paper folding, drawing, and simple sculptures, helping the children to connect their creativity with what they had learned through reading.
Simiao No. 7 Primary School, Pu'er City (2023)
Overview:
Our mission is to help children in mountainous areas of Yunnan gain access to reading resources through book rafting. We believe every book holds endless possibilities, and by distributing these books to different regions, more children can access diverse knowledge and stories. During this five-day project, we set up a picture book library and taught older students how to read picture books and engage in craft activities.
Key Contributions:
-
Reading Class:
After the exhausting preparation, it was time for me to lead a reading class. We selected classic stories, such as Guess How Much I Love You, Faithful John, Little Bean at the Window, The Little Prince, and Charlotte's Web. These stories were chosen to spark the children's imagination and cultivate their interest in reading. The students listened attentively, and we engaged in interactive discussions about the values and morals found in the stories. The children eagerly participated, sharing their thoughts and feelings, fully immersed in the storytelling process. -
AI and Dream Planning Class:
The next day, I conducted a lesson on artificial intelligence and dreams. The students learned about AI technologies like ChatGPT and explored famous AI applications. We encouraged them to dream big and make plans to achieve those dreams. The students showed a strong interest in AI, asking thoughtful questions about its future potential. It was clear from their expressions that they were eager to use their education to change their lives and those of their families. -
Craft Workshops:
Alongside the reading sessions, I also led craft workshops where students created art based on the stories we read. These hands-on activities, including paper folding and clay modeling, helped the students express their creativity while reinforcing the themes and lessons from the books.
