Walking with Love: Our Journey to Liangshan
In the scorching summer heat, nine compassionate volunteers traveled thousands of miles to the Daliang Mountains, gathering in Xichang with great anticipation for the visits scheduled over the next two days.
At 10:00 a.m. on June 20, after reuniting at the airport, the volunteers uniformly changed into T-shirts printed with the Baichuan Public Welfare logo and set off in an orderly manner.
At 1:00 p.m., we finally arrived in the county town and enjoyed a steaming bowl of rice noodles at a small noodle shop.
After the meal, the volunteers went together to the farmers’ market to buy groceries for the volunteer teachers participating in the rural education support program, aiming to improve their meals. Although the market had a strong odor, no one left.
Procurement concluded, we set off for Wawu Primary School. En route, we encountered some unexpected minor issues: the mountain access road was closed due to construction. After a series of setbacks, we finally arrived at Wawu Primary School in Zhaojue County at 3:30 p.m.
Principal Qubi received us and introduced the history and present of Wawu Primary School.
Principal Qubi has remained in the mountainous region since graduating from university, a tenure that has now spanned sixteen years. When Wawu Primary School was first established, it had only four students; today, enrollment has grown to 227. On this note, the principal joked, “Since the school’s founding, we have merged with several surrounding schools, and their students have all flocked to us.”
Principal Qu Bi is a recipient of the ‘Jack Ma Rural Teacher Award,’ and he used the entire 100,000 yuan prize money to subsidize his school.
It has not been easy for the school to reach where it is today. Despite enduring numerous hardships and difficulties, Principal Qu Bi remains without regret. He said, “I want to devote my life to doing one thing well, because I love this work.”
After school in the afternoon, Principal Qubi personally took to the field, leading the children in delivering an exciting soccer match for the volunteers.
After an intense football match, the Yellow Team emerged victorious, and the children’s exquisite skills deeply impressed every volunteer.
Principal Qu Bi presented a medal to volunteer Jin Ge, expressing gratitude for her years of support and participation in public welfare initiatives, which have contributed to the development of education in the Greater Liangshan region.
Volunteer Jin Ge's Tips:
She is from Rendon Medical, which has long been committed to advancing precision medicine. Leveraging its proprietary genetic testing technologies and multi-dimensional testing platforms, the company consistently employs advanced and reliable technologies to support clinical practice, facilitate translational research and applications, and assist in critical clinical decision-making.
In clinical translational research and technical system development, we specialize in technologies related to precision immuno-companion diagnostics for oncology and liquid biopsy.
She said, “After the great earthquake in 2008, I began to pay attention to public welfare. In 2010, I officially started engaging in charitable work, and it has been eleven years now. I won’t claim how much I have accomplished; I simply hope to shine a light and promote the spirit of public welfare, which is also a form of strength!”
Following the award ceremony, the “Planting the Tree of Hope” activity commenced. After Principal Qu Bi took the lead by shoveling the first scoop of soil, three male students began digging the hole. Everyone worked together to fill the hole and water the tree. Each volunteer added a scoop of soil to the Tree of Hope, with the wish that the children would grow up strong and healthy, just like the tree.
After the event, I chatted with volunteer Wang Xuzhou beneath the flagpole. He said, “I’ve previously served as a volunteer teacher, so I’ve experienced everything that such teachers go through. I hope more people will pay attention to public welfare and actively participate in it.”
Volunteer Wang Xuzhou’s Tips:
He is from Deyi Capital, a company registered and established in 2016. The firm has always adhered to the principle of “customer first,” striving to win clients through exceptional service. Since the founding of Xiamen Deyi Equity Investment Management Co., Ltd., it has upheld the tenet of “integrity-based, customer-oriented” and operated under the business philosophy of “quality-focused and relentless improvement.” While endeavoring to provide customers with comprehensive, high-quality services, the company has also achieved substantial growth.
The volunteer teachers prepared a hearty dinner for the volunteers. After dinner, Principal Qubi led everyone on a hike to watch the sunset and introduced the surroundings of the school.
At the mountain peak lay a sea of blue flowers, while the distant crimson clouds resembled a mushroom cloud. Gazing at this breathtaking scenery, the fatigue of the entire day seemed to vanish in an instant.
After descending the mountain, Principal Qubi set off for the county town, as he was to take four children to Beijing for a football performance. His words were filled with pride!
"He devoted his life’s work to the cause of education, and seeing children grow up to be successful was his greatest reward!"
During this trip, we also brought VR headsets, allowing children to experience a VR roller coaster. This initiative, titled “Bringing the World to Children in Mountainous Areas,” previously won the Gold Award at the 6th Charity Project Competition.
After trying it out, the children all said it was fun, their eyes brimming with smiles. One child named Ji Niu Libu particularly loved the roller coaster; he rode it five or six times and still wanted more.
At 9 p.m., after a quick wash-up, everyone began moving tables and laying out bedding, pushing the tables together to form a large communal sleeping platform for shared warmth.
In the mountainous areas, evenings bring swarms of mosquitoes and other insects. As soon as the lights were turned on, countless small yellow flying insects were attracted, filling the entire classroom with their presence. To provide her fellow volunteers with a better sleeping environment, volunteer Liu Nian continuously used a broom to shoo away the bugs.
Volunteer Liu Nian's Tips:
She is from China Resources Group. The Anti-Infectives Division of CR Sanjiu primarily operates on the platform of Shenzhen CR Jiuxin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., with its main entities being the Shenzhen headquarters of CR Jiuxin, Shenyang Sanjiu (a wholly-owned subsidiary of CR Jiuxin), and Zhejiang Zhongyi Pharmaceutical.
CR Sanjiu adheres to the corporate mission of “caring for public health and relentlessly providing patients with safe and effective antibiotics.” Through the research, development, introduction, production, and promotion of high-quality products, it delivers a safe and efficient medication experience for patients.
She said, “Love manifests in many forms, reaching those in need through diverse means. Baichuan Public Welfare has achieved this, as have the volunteer teachers; I believe the children have deeply felt it as well.”
Amid the stark contradiction between the severe scarcity of educational resources in rural mountainous areas and the strong demand for them, we call on everyone to pay greater attention to the educational aspirations of children in these regions, offering them another pathway to change their destiny (or to enhance their competitiveness for survival). At the same time, please extend your care to the dedicated volunteer teachers; it is your perseverance that brings more love into the world!
A day of bumpy travel left everyone exhausted; though the environment was harsh, the company of a sky full of stars enabled them to face it with smiles.
With a packed schedule for the next day, the volunteers set out again before dawn. As they departed, the school was enveloped in mist, creating an ethereal, fairyland-like atmosphere.
After more than three hours of travel, the volunteers finally arrived in Zhaojue at 8:00 a.m. They had breakfast at a small roadside eatery, chatting and laughing, with their high spirits completely unperturbed by the modest surroundings.
After a hearty meal, the grocery shopping team headed to the market to purchase supplies for the volunteer teachers. Volunteers Lei Xia and Wang Yingqi went straight for the watermelons and corn.
Volunteer Wang Yingqi temporarily stepped in as a bookkeeper, assisting the vegetable vendor with record-keeping.
Volunteer Wang Yingqi's Tips:
She is from BGI, a company founded in 1999 and recognized as a global leader in cutting-edge life sciences. Upholding the mission of “Bringing Genetic Technology to Benefit Humanity,” it embraces the vision of “Health and Beauty, Leading the Era of Life Sciences.”
BGI leads the innovative development of genomics through an integrated “industry-academia-research” model, with branches spanning over 100 countries and regions worldwide.
She said, “This is my first time participating in the Baichuan Public Welfare Teaching Program. I witnessed a group of young entrepreneurs putting public welfare into practice through their own efforts, spreading its message with compassion and action, and inspiring more people to join in and respond.”
Witnessing young volunteer teachers from major cities abandon their comfortable lives and careers to come here, bringing the outside world to a group of children and empowering them to change their destinies through education, I have learned from them the meaning of courage and boundless love.
Volunteer Wang Xuzhou, with maximum strength, helped carry items throughout the entire process, silently contributing to the visitation team.
At 10:00 a.m., the visitation team arrived at Baqian Primary School. Principal Azhi had already been waiting at the school gate to introduce the school, guide the tour of the new teaching building under construction, and lead the volunteers up the mountain to visit impoverished households in the village.
Volunteer Xu Wenrong assisted all the volunteers during their visits, navigating muddy paths and caring for others like a friendly older sister next door.
Volunteer Xu Wenrong’s Tips:
She is from Ruichang Da'ai Consulting Service Center, whose core business includes market research and corporate consulting.
She said, “I would like to thank Baichuan Public Welfare for organizing this event and Mr. Jin for the invitation. I have been quietly following Baichuan Public Welfare’s activities for several years. During this visit to three schools in Wawu, Baqian, and Naizuku in the Daliang Mountains of Sichuan Province, I saw that some volunteer teachers were so young, yet they shouldered the responsibility of uplifting children’s hopes with their tender shoulders!”
Caring for every volunteer teacher means passing on love to dozens, hundreds, thousands, and even countless children in mountainous areas!
After descending the mountain, volunteers guided third-grade students through a VR experience exploring the ocean world. The children who had already taken their turn were left wanting more, while those who had not yet participated curiously gathered around their classmates wearing the headsets, as if they could catch glimpses of the virtual scenes through the gaps.
After the VR experience, the volunteers shared lunch with the children. A public-school teacher served homemade kimchi, whose sour and spicy flavor was quite appetizing. Volunteer Lei Xia praised it enthusiastically, remarking that it tasted just like home and hailing it as the most authentic Sichuan-style pickled vegetables.
Volunteer Lei Xia's Tips:
She is a director of Baichuan Public Welfare and is affiliated with Zhonghong Kenuo (Beijing) Pharmaceutical Development Co., Ltd. Founded in 2006, the company specializes in the agency, sales, and marketing planning of pharmaceuticals and medical consumables.
Corporate Mission: To provide diverse products and satisfactory service to customers across China in the pharmaceutical sector, dedicating more and better products to our extensive customer base. Corporate Vision: To become a high-quality, service-oriented pharmaceutical company in China within 10 to 20 years.
The team leader of the Ba Qian team is Teacher Qu, known as the "Little Prince of Music." Born in 1997, Teacher Qu has spent two years in mountainous areas, guiding his students to graduation.
Teacher Qu presented gifts to the volunteers and performed the songs “Those Flowers,” “Fireflies Fly,” and “Goodbye” for everyone.
Everyone posed for a group photo with all the teachers and students of the school, while the children’s youthful voices loudly chanted, “Baichuan Public Welfare, Delivering Love!”
At 2:00 p.m., we arrived at Naizuku Primary School. The children stood at the gate, shouting a warm welcome. In that instant, a gentle warmth flowed through my heart, and I could not contain the smile in my eyes.
The children performed the dance “The Most Beautiful Light” and the choral pieces “Children of the Motherland” and “Chengdu.” Everyone joined the children in singing folk songs, with smiles blooming on all faces.
Team leader Fu Yuanyuan introduced her partners to the volunteers. Teacher Fu Yuanyuan said, “I spent a considerable amount of time contemplating my decision to participate in this volunteer teaching program. My colleagues were shocked when they learned of my plan to come here. I have arrived bearing the expectations of all my colleagues.”
The students taught by Mr. Zhang Qian achieved the top rank in mathematics across the entire township in this graduation mock exam. Ms. Fu Yuanyuan added, “Mr. Zhang Qian is very diligent; he stays late every day after school to provide extra tutoring for the children.”
Teacher Xie Yingqi said, “I do not expect all the students I teach to gain admission to university and leave their hometowns. My hope is to lay a solid foundation for them at this stage. Even if none of today’s students manage to enter university, they will have acquired a foundational understanding and recognized the importance of education. When they have children of their own in the future, much will change; they will prioritize education, and leaving their hometowns will no longer be a dream.”
Volunteer Liu Huiguang, speaking as a representative of entrepreneurs, shared his reflections. He stated, “In the past, I wanted to engage in philanthropy but lacked the channels. After these two days, I have been thinking about what we can do. As someone working in the media industry with an extensive network of friends, I hope to contribute to public welfare efforts within my capacity in the future.”
Volunteer Liu Huiguang’s Tips:
He comes from VCBeat. Founded in 2014, the inaugural year of mobile healthcare in China, VCBeat is the country’s first third-party organization dedicated to tracking transformation in the health and medical industry. It has consistently built its core competencies across two dimensions: “industry communication” and “industry research.”
To conclude the discussion, volunteer Feng Zhiqing summarized the visit, stating that while children need attention, teachers require even greater focus, as one teacher can influence a whole group of students.
Volunteer Feng Zhiqing's Tips:
He is the founder of Baichuan Public Welfare and hails from Beijing Weisdun Network Technology Co., Ltd., a national-level high-tech enterprise specializing in the development, engineering implementation, and services of medical Internet of Things (IoT) management systems. The company has completed the construction of the “Cold Chain and Full Environmental Factor Monitoring Platform for Medical Institutions.”
Naizuku Primary School was the last school visited. At the conclusion of the visits, the volunteer teachers presented visit certificates to nine volunteers.
Volunteer Yu Jing was thrilled to encounter her fellow Shenyang native, volunteer teacher Xie Yingqi, in the mountains, and the two posed for a commemorative photo.
Volunteer Tips：
She represents Aiborui Education, a premium education brand. Leveraging years of English teaching experience from senior Chinese and foreign educational experts, and integrating advanced international educational resources and philosophies, the brand adopts a student-centered approach. It provides a one-stop online-offline blended situational thematic English teaching platform, enabling children to enjoy high-quality educational resources synchronized with international standards.
As the volunteers departed, the children chased them out of the school gates, waving goodbye and pressing their drawings into the volunteers’ hands. Though just thin sheets of paper, these artworks carried the children’s most sincere affection.
Each farewell struck directly at the heart of every volunteer.
At 9 p.m. on the evening of the 21st, the group safely arrived at a small inn by Qionghai Lake, successfully concluding their two-day field visits in the mountainous area.
Wishing everyone all the best in the future!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the nine volunteers for participating in the visits. Thank you for your continued attention to and involvement in public welfare initiatives. We appreciate your trust and support for Baichuan, and we are grateful for your companionship, which has empowered Baichuan to go further and achieve greater impact.
In the future, engage in and pay attention to public welfare!
All together!
