Long Haifen, from Xinghe village in the mountains of Southwest China's Guizhou province, is now a freshman at Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) in Central China's Hubei province. While she may seem like an ordinary student, she represents the strong bond between her hometown and the university, as well as the transformative power of education and compassion.

In July 2002, Xu Benyu, then a junior student at HZAU, volunteered to teach in the rural areas of Guizhou during his summer break. The following year, he chose to forgo postgraduate studies and returned to the villages, teaching at two schools for two years, including Weimin Elementary School, which Long would later attend. In 2005, HZAU established the "Benyu Volunteer Service Team", recruiting students annually to continue providing educational support.

Long began receiving instruction from HZAU volunteer teachers in the fourth grade. In 2017, during her final year of elementary school, the 19th group of volunteers arrived, including Cao Yuanyuan and Li Zongqing.

Weimin Elementary School had 174 students from kindergarten to sixth grade but only six classrooms. The school was severely understaffed, with just seven teachers, including the volunteers. Cao had to teach four subjects, including Chinese and English, while Li at one point managed 23 classes per week.

Adding to the challenge was the single winding, muddy mountain road, forcing most students to walk one to two hours to reach the school. Despite these difficulties, Long and her classmates cherished the opportunity to learn and worked diligently.

The volunteers not only imparted knowledge to Long but also nurtured her personal growth. They encouraged her to deliver speeches at the school's flag-raising ceremonies and to serve as the flag bearer during the spring field trip, helping to build her confidence.

They also broadened her horizons beyond the mountains. In August 2017, Long participated in an educational excursion to Beijing organized by the volunteers. It was her first time riding an intercity bus, taking a train, and staying in a hotel — an eye-opening experience.

"The volunteer teachers told me the world is fascinating, but I found it hard to imagine. Only when I saw it with my own eyes did I truly appreciate its beauty," Long said. "I started to wonder that perhaps one day, I could study my way out of the mountains and explore the cities. They connected me with better educational resources and a wider world."

After Long graduated from elementary school, the volunteers left, but their bond endured beyond the classroom. In 2020, just before Long entered ninth grade, tragedy struck when her father was involved in a car accident, placing the family in financial difficulty.

"If my family can't afford it, I'll have to drop out of school," Long confided to her former teachers from HZAU. Upon hearing this, Cao and the other volunteers quickly raised 2,750 yuan in a single day, ensuring that Long could continue her education.

Throughout high school, Long's former teachers went on to guide her, offering support in choosing academic paths and filling out college applications.

"We were overjoyed by her performance in the gaokao (national college entrance exam)," said Li. "When we learned she had been admitted to our alma mater, we were so proud and elated."

Over 22 years of volunteer service, more than 200 volunteers dedicated themselves to educating students in Guizhou. Many students advanced to middle school, high school, and even college.

Looking ahead, Long is excited to embrace college life. She hopes to give back to society and become part of the volunteering community. "I would love to participate in volunteer activities like my teachers and help more children plant the seeds to grow and thrive," Long said.

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