From December 24th to 26th, Tales for Tomorrow and SciAcademy, two middle school service-learning groups from Shanghai High School International Division (SHSID), embarked on a profound and meaningful service-learning trip to mountain schools in Yunnan province accompanied by teachers and parents. This charity trip was more than a simple donation of supplies; it was a journey of shared growth, where hearts and hands connected to illuminate one another.

"Voice" for Love: Bridging Mountains and Seas, Supporting Healthy Growth

– Tales for Tomorrow's Charity Trip to Tongchang Primary School, Qujing City, Yunnan

Tales for Tomorrow, one of the first groups to earn the Silver Standard recognition in the 2025 academic year, aims to share the wider world with children in mountain villages through campus radio broadcasts. However, during their training, the students lacked deeper understanding of the actual conditions in these villages and had only a superficial impression of the children there. This opportunity to leave Shanghai for the mountain villages was undoubtedly a practical journey bridging distances and connecting with the field.

Tongchang Primary School, located in Dahe Town, Fuyuan County, Qujing City, is a fully boarding primary school. With its youngest students being only 3 years old, the living conditions for over 500 boarding students are challenging, and sports facilities are scarce. After contacting Principal Xu from Tongchang Primary, the group's guidance teacher, Ms. Liu Lisha, and the students decided to donate a batch of sports equipment to improve the school's athletic resources.

On the morning of December 25th, the team set out from Qujing city. After a two-hour journey along winding mountain roads, they finally arrived at Tongchang Primary School. Stepping off the bus, they were immediately struck by the sight of students gathered on the playground, queuing to receive their lunch. Without a dedicated dining area or facilities, the local children had to squat in small groups on the ground, eating a meal that costs 5 yuan per serving heartily from their bowls. Yet, the pure smiles on the children's faces and their independent, natural, and cheerful demeanor left a deep impression on the visiting students and parents.

During the donation ceremony, 8(12) Easton, 8(4) Freddy and 4 other SHSID student representatives presented sports equipment like badminton, table tennis, volleyball, and basketball sets to the children. The Tongchang Primary students offered red scarves to the older students as a gesture of thanks. This simple ceremony was filled with warmth and emotion, as a genuine connection seemed to form between the children.

Following the ceremony, SHSID teachers and students held a discussion with the local teachers to better understand the school's situation. At the meeting, Principal Xu Chunqiao of Tongchang Primary first introduced the school's general situation. While praising the children's independence, she also gently mentioned the existing difficulties, expressing hope for more caring support through such connections. Vice Principal Shen Tianyuan then introduced SHSID's service-learning program, emphasizing the hope that students would apply their learning to charitable activities, embodying the responsibility of global citizens, and this could foster mutual growth between the children of both schools in the future.

This charitable trip received strong support from Qujing No.1 High School. During the discussion, Principal Li De'an of Qujing No.1 High School shared his thoughts on gratitude with the students, advising them to cherish the present and build a solid foundation for the future Advisor of Tales for Tomorrow, Ms. Chen Fan proposed establishing long-term loving cooperation with Tongchang Primary through various means like radio broadcasts and online courses, building a sustained bridge of support. 8(12) Jessica expressed her gratitude to the school and her hope to deepen interaction with the younger students at Tongchang Primary, bringing some light to them within her capacity. She described this as a very meaningful and rare opportunity.

The specially designed "Friendship Sports Meet" was a highlight, mixing children from all three schools into teams. Through collaborative and fun sports events, it fostered teamwork and the spirit of solidarity, affecting the students, parents, and teachers watching from the sidelines deeply.

Parents even joined in as temporary coaches and judges, contributing to this meaningful sports carnival. For Eva's parents, it was a mutual "seeing." They remarked, "Our children became a window to the world beyond the mountains, and in turn, they reflected the fortune and responsibility in our own lives." In her post-activity reflection, student Eva expressed her own "seeing" of the younger children: "Their simplicity and respect for the rules pleasantly surprised me."

During the award ceremony for the Friendship Sports Meet, host teacher Ms. Liu Lisha expressed her most sincere care and blessings for the children: "Children who received water bottles, remember to exercise more and drink plenty of water!", "May these hats shelter you from wind and rain!" As the visit concluded, many young children approached the older students and teachers with pieces of paper, notebooks, or even their name tags from the sports meet, asking for autographs. That moment left behind not just the feeling of touching, but also the best wishes and brightest hopes for these children's futures. When asked about their feelings, the Tongchang Primary children responded with phrases like, "I'm very happy today!", "I hope the older brothers and sisters come more often!", and "Thank you!" The hope is that they will venture beyond the mountains to experience a broader world.

For the SHSID students, this activity was also a profound educational experience. 8(11) Ryan expressed sincere gratitude in his final reflection, feeling deeply appreciative of his own current circumstances which should be cherished. 8(12) Ethan sincerely wished the children good health. He reflected, "We didn't just come to 'help' them; they taught us about optimism and resilience." In this interaction, "social responsibility" transformed from a concept into the students' genuine actions and emotions.

The parents expressed their feelings in writing, reflecting on their children's growth and suggesting directions for future efforts.

Mountains may block the view, but they cannot hold back the upward growth of children; conditions may be tough, but they cannot diminish the educators' initiative to nurture character and cultivate talents. May the dreams on this land blossom and bear fruit and may more attention be directed toward education in mountainous areas. With love and responsibility, let us light up the stars that guide children in pursuing their dreams.  

— Jessica’s Mother  

Heartfelt thanks to TFT for initiating the charity trip in Qujing, Yunnan. In just 72 hours, everyone, children and parents alike, experienced a profound cleansing of the heart.  

We witnessed the lack of educational resources due to regional economic disparities, yet we were deeply moved to find eyes still shining brightly on those small, frost-reddened faces.  

Through this, our children gained a tangible understanding of social responsibility, and practicing charity will undoubtedly become an essential lesson on their path of growth.  

— Ryan & Ethan’s Mother  

What I initially thought was just an ordinary donation turned out to be so much more over these two days. The deeper educational significance of this Yunnan trip lies in its realization of a mutual seeing and calibration.  

For the children of Tongchang Primary School, this interaction opened a window. While the new equipment is certainly a welcome gift, perhaps even more important is that the older brothers and sisters from afar became the most vivid representation of the "world beyond the mountains." The curiosity and longing sparked by this connection may hold more lasting power than any material donation.  

At its core, education is about the growth of people. This journey helped our children understand that their luck is not something to be taken for granted. I believe they have learned the meaning of “cherish” and realized that helping others is also a way to become better versions of themselves. This may well be the most profound gift from this charity trip.  

— Eva’s Parents  

I have always pondered the essence of education, and now I see it clearly. Shanghai High School has excelled in holistic education. While children in Shanghai enjoy relatively superior material conditions, they also live in a kind of enclosed environment, having not truly "seen" others who share the same sky until this week. Thank you to the school for providing this opportunity, allowing us to closely observe the conditions at Tongchang Primary School.  

Despite material hardships, the children there have not lost their pure smiles. They may have less exposure to the wider world compared to children in Shanghai, but they undoubtedly know more about plant growth, and their physical fitness is noticeably stronger.  

Chinese tradition emphasizes cultivating oneself, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world, advocating the unity of knowledge and action. A person’s world is as vast as their heart. Even as ordinary individuals, we can contribute our modest power to society. Through this activity, I hope children can do their best to help those in need, utilize their strengths, align with the needs of rural primary schools, and take action.  

— Freddy’s Mother

Igniting the Spark of Learning and Hope Through Science

— SciAcademy Service-Learning Group Conducts Winter Science Outreach in Nujiang, Yunnan

The SciAcademy service-learning group has consistently integrated science outreach into its service practices and has been recognized as an outstanding service-learning team since it was established in 2017. This time, they chose to inspire rural children’s passion for learning through scientific experiments. A team of teachers, students, and parents traveled together to Nujiang, Yunnan, for a winter science outreach program.  

On December 25th, led by SciAcademy advisor Ms. Liu Ming and eighth-grade Head Ms. Shen Ying, the outreach team visited Binggong School and Baihualing School, delivering tailored science lessons to children of different grade levels. The six student volunteers were divided into three groups, teaching kindergarten seniors, first graders, and second graders, respectively. During the theoretical session, the volunteers explained in an engaging and accessible way "what water surface tension is" and "why dish soap can break this tension and generate propulsion." In the experimental session, the children, under guidance, crafted small boats from cardstock and observed them zoom forward after adding drops of dish soap. Gasps and laughter filled the classroom as the wonders of science spread quietly through hands-on interaction, planting seeds of curiosity in the children’s minds.

“Next time, I want to know how rainbows form,” “Why does rubbing soap create bubbles?” “How can airplanes fly?” After class, the children asked more intriguing science questions, their eyes gleaming with the light of search for knowledge. As one student, Fu, reflected, “Being able to give them the power to stay curious is the most beautiful gift, making this the most meaningful journey we’ve ever experienced.”  

Beyond the science lessons, the sports equipment donated by the club was quickly put to use. Volunteers played ball games and interacted with the children, spreading joy and care through sport and supporting their physical and mental well-being.  

This journey was also a profound learning and growth experience for the six participating students. For many, it was their first time standing at the front of a classroom. They evolved from "beginners" in Ms. Liu’s three preparatory training sessions to "little teachers" capable of independently guiding their classes. As Sun shared during the reflection session, “It was challenging at first, but when we truly used our knowledge to light up the children’s eyes, the joy was indescribable.”  

What particularly moved the students was learning that many children, as young as seven or eight, were already living at school. Hong remarked with emotion, “At an age when they should still depend on their parents, they are learning to face the night alone. Behind them lies both loneliness and a heartbreaking resilience.” The children’s unwavering spirit of seeking knowledge and optimism deeply inspired Du: “Their smiles gave us even more strength to move forward.” Yang added, “What warmed me the most today was the children’s enthusiasm and pureness.”  

Through dedication and giving, the SciAcademy students brought warmth to classrooms in distant mountainous areas. Equipping themselves with knowledge and giving back through action embodies the true spirit of service learning-growing while sharing science and helping those in need.  

The parents expressed their feelings in writing, reflecting on their children's growth and suggesting directions for future efforts.

This activity was an entirely new experience for my child. Being able to share what she has learned with so many lovely and eager children in the mountainous areas made her truly feel needed and valued. After returning from Yunnan, she has gained a tangible understanding of how knowledge can help others and bring about change. This has also strengthened her motivation to study and planted the seed for her desire to continuously help more people in the future.

-- Cheryl’s Mother

Sadie and her classmates were responsible for delivering a science experiment lesson to local children that combined explanation, demonstration, and hands-on making, while parents assisted as helpers. After the class, everyone joined the ongoing Lisu New Year celebration, the "Kuoshi Festival," sharing food, singing, and dancing under the blue plateau sky with teachers and students from more than ten ethnic groups, momentarily forgetting all else in the joy of the moment. This activity was not only about SciAcademy bringing science lessons to the children of Nujiang; Nujiang, in return, brought our children profound cognitive renewal and deep emotional impact.

As we came back to ourselves after the happiness of the Kuoshi Festival, we could not help but reflect that human emotions are clearly universal and timeless. The barriers that once separated us--high mountains and great rivers--have already been bridged and leveled by the infrastructure built by our parents’ and our own generation. On the "software" level, the internet has further removed most remaining obstacles. Now, the teachers and students of SciAcademy are using their own hands to overcome the final gaps in teaching methods and educational philosophy. This was truly the most meaningful New Year (the Lisu Kuoshi Festival) that my child and I have ever experienced. I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to continue participating in activities like this in the future.

-- Sadie’s Father

Although the formal teaching support activity lasted only one short day, it was enough for the children who joined the trip to truly experience the educational challenges of rural Yunnan. For example, an entire school may have only two classes; students attend lessons in only Chinese and mathematics each day; and children in Grades 1 and 2 already need to live on campus. These are situations that children growing up in Shanghai can hardly imagine.

Only by truly stepping into such places can one gain an experience that is this concrete and profound.

This is precisely the significance of the teaching support program: the children did not merely bring scientific knowledge to others; through what they saw and felt firsthand, they planted the seeds of understanding and compassion within themselves.

We cannot help but look forward to the next opportunity to set out again together with the teachers.

-- Aaron’s Mother

Thanks for this activity, which allowed the children to learn the value of cherishing and giving while sharing scientific knowledge. This journey was the warmest gift in the winter of 2025.

-- Michael’s Mother

The clear communication before the trip, the structured itinerary, and the regular updates during the journey were incredibly reassuring, as a parent. More importantly, the experience was far beyond a typical trip, instilling a deep sense of social responsibility and the value of education. As a result, it has sparked thoughtful conversations in our home about global citizenship, educational equity, and gratitude.

-- Althea’s Mother

Though their approaches differed, both teams exemplified the old saying: “When you give someone a rose, its fragrance lingers on your hand.” This initiative converged into a flow of love that transcended mountains and seas, ages, and distances divides.  

True education lies not only in books but also in genuine connections and shared growth. We hope that the valuable observations and reflections gained from this journey will provide more ideas and inspiration for future service-learning projects, continuing to offer educational resources and emotional support to children in mountainous areas. Service learning will not end with a single trip, it will become a new starting point for students to engage with society long-term, practice charity, and grow into responsible global citizens. This journey to Yunnan was like a pebble dropped into a pond, rippling out not just waves but enduring echoes of reflection, responsibility, and love.  

This year marks the twelfth anniversary of the middle school service-learning curriculum at Shanghai High School International Division. Since its inception, the program has aimed to encourage students not only to care for their immediate surroundings but also to step into society. This initiative sought to guide students beyond campus walls, prompting reflection through observation, learning through service, and fostering a sense of responsibility as global citizens through their experiences.

(Written by 8-12 Eston (Tales for Tomorrow）, 8-4 Aaron (SciAcademy), 8-2 Freddy

Pictures by Teachers and Parents (Tales for Tomorrow & SciAcademy), Lisha Liu, Ming Liu

Guided by Lisha Liu, Ming Liu, Fan Chen

Reviewed by Mr. Shen Tianyuan, Ms. Shen Ying, Stefan Hampson, Shiyu Wu, Grace Gilmore)