Guilin Service Learning Trip 桂林服務學習之旅

In January 2024, 14 dedicated HKUST student volunteers embarked on a one-week service learning trip to Jian-An Primary School in Guilin, China, in collaboration with the Y.L. Yang Foundation. A key focus of the trip was for the volunteers to build meaningful relationships and connections with the local primary school students while also educating them on the importance of biodiversity and environmental protection.

Prior to the trip, the HKUST students participated in four preparatory workshops to gain a deeper understanding of the local context, challenges, and needs of the primary school students they would be working with. They also held meetings with program staff to finalize their plans for various workshops and activities.

During the on-site program, the HKUST volunteers put their planning into action, designing and delivering a range of interactive workshops. This included lessons on biodiversity, where they taught the primary school students about the rich natural ecosystems in their local region and the critical role different plant and animal species play. Through hands-on activities and engaging discussions, the volunteers were able to stimulate the children's interest in environmental protection while fostering a sense of stewardship and pride for their living environment.

One of the highlights of the trip was the 'Changemaker' project, where the primary school students were divided into small groups to work on their own initiatives focused on topics they had learned about during the workshops. The children collaborated to design creative solutions to local environmental challenges, and on the final day, they proudly presented their projects to the HKUST volunteers and their peers.

Throughout the trip, the HKUST students not only made a positive impact on the lives of the primary school children but also gained invaluable personal growth through the meaningful relationships they built.