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Seeds of Hope: Learning, Leading and Serving in Quzhou
News
03 Nov, 2026
17 : 57
During the National Day holiday, 13 YCYW Shanghai students travelled to Linshan Primary School in rural Quzhou, Zhejiang, for the Seeds of Hope Trip.
From 30 September to 5 October, our students stepped away from their usual routines and into a very different kind of classroom—one in which they were not only learners, but also teachers, mentors, designers, performers and friends.
The trip was co-hosted with The Expatriate Centre (TEC) Shanghai, continuing a longstanding partnership built on the belief that meaningful learning takes place when students engage with the wider community. Together, TEC and YCYW created an experience that challenged our students to serve others while developing their confidence, creativity and sense of responsibility.
The first three days were devoted to preparation. Our students, trained to become Character Camp teachers, designed the camp spaces and developed lessons for the local primary students. They planned activities, prepared materials, wrote and performed skits, and created artistic and innovative projects. They had to think carefully about how to make each activity engaging, accessible and meaningful for children with different needs, interests and personalities.
Planning was only the beginning. The students were also asked to take on responsibilities that were sometimes unfamiliar or outside their comfort zones. Some had to lead groups, speak in front of others, translate, manage activities or adapt plans when things did not go as expected. They worked hard, often late into the day, and learned that successful teaching requires more than preparation: it requires patience, flexibility and a willingness to listen.
During the final two days, the camp came to life. Our students led lessons, guided creative activities, performed skits, mentored individual campers and spent time playing with the children. They encouraged local primary students to participate, helped them through challenges and celebrated their successes. In many ways, the most important learning happened in the unplanned moments: a conversation, a shared game, a high-five or a child’s delighted smile.
One student reflected on working with a younger camper who was energetic, talkative and sometimes difficult to guide. There was also a language barrier, and at first, our student was unsure how to communicate effectively. However, the camper was eager to talk and simply wanted someone to listen. Through this relationship, our student gained confidence in speaking Chinese and developed stronger leadership skills. During an outdoor relay, the camper treated the student as a trusted teammate, offering high-fives and words of encouragement at every opportunity.
Another student described a meaningful conversation with a camper who was not especially strong academically but had a deep interest in astronomy. The camper knew more about the subject than the student did, challenging assumptions about what a child from a rural community might know or be capable of. This conversation became an important reminder that every child has unique strengths, interests and stories waiting to be discovered.
These experiences helped our students understand that service is not simply about giving something to others. It is also about building relationships, paying attention and being willing to learn. Our students not only delivered lessons; they also received new perspectives in return. They discovered that leadership can mean translating for a peer, encouraging a hesitant camper, organising a group or adapting an activity so that everyone can take part.
Throughout the trip, the students represented YCYW with maturity, compassion and humility. They were wonderful role models for the primary students at Linshan and true ambassadors for our school community. They showed that creativity and compassion work best together: creativity helps us respond to new situations, whilst compassion reminds us to consider others’ needs.
We are deeply grateful to the TEC teachers who planned and delivered the trip, prepared alongside the students and provided continuous mentoring and care throughout the week. We also thank parents for entrusting us with your children and for supporting their decision to give up part of their holiday to serve others.
