In the rural areas of Anhui province in east China, a dedicated group of student volunteers from Huaibei Normal University are making an impact on rural development.

For over 12 years, the Xiao Yu Di (literally meaning "Little Raindrop") volunteer team from the School of Foreign Studies has been a dynamic force in supporting rural education. Their consistent efforts have not only nurtured rural children's growth but also contributed to the broader cause of rural revitalization.

A 12-year commitment to rural service

Since its inception, the Xiao Yu Di program has grown into a cornerstone of the university's social responsibility initiatives. Its footprint has spread across three provinces, with over 800 student volunteers participating in a relay of dedicated service. They have delivered more than 3,000 teaching sessions for youngsters, many of whom are "left-behind" children in rural areas, whose parents work away in cities.

Daxu, a village in Anhui, sent a heartfelt thank-you letter to the team in this August, commending the volunteers for their outstanding contribution to rural education and revitalization.

This summer, six members of the Xiao Yu Di team went to Daxu. They not only meticulously planned summer classes for teenagers, offering academic tutoring and interest development courses, but also conducted field research on key issues of rural revitalization, such as industrial development and cultural inheritance.

They went to the fields and villagers' homes, and the direct engagement enabled them to use their professional skills to serve the countryside, connecting educational empowerment with the broader goal of rural development.

A two-way journey of growth

The Xiao Yu Di program embodies the principle of "serving society and educating through practice."

To spark children's curiosity about science, the team runs interactive sessions that demystify the world of natural phenomena. They also place a strong emphasis on cultural heritage, introducing pupils to the charm of intangible cultural heritage like Chinese paper cutting, and on safety education, covering critical topics such as water safety.

While the primary goal is to support rural children, the university students themselves undergo significant growth. They learn to adapt to challenging conditions, develop problem-solving skills, and gain a deeper understanding of their social responsibility. This experience becomes a valuable asset in their personal and professional lives, with many former volunteers excelling in their careers.

Following Xiao Yu Di's founding oath, "I wish to be a little raindrop, sprinkling sweet dew on the fields of hope," these young volunteers' sustained efforts prove that with dedication, it is not just possible to nurture profound change in rural education and revitalization, but it is already happening.

In the next five years, the program vows to train over 1,000 primary and middle school students and 500 volunteers, further bridging education and rural revitalization through action.