Nov. 28, 2019

Dear OCEF/Weiya Fang:

I am writing this letter to mention briefly about my recent visit to Langzhong, Sichuan, and nearby towns, based on observation and experience I had during my time spent there. This visit was facilitated with the kind help of OCEF and especially by OCEF representatives Yunbao Zhuo in China and Weiya Fang in US, who helped arrange all this after weeks and months of planning/organizing.

During my visit, I was fortunate to visit some schools in the countryside near Langzhong, and also to visit homes of some of the students who study in these schools. I have read about countryside in China in the books before, but this was the first time I had the chance to see for myself and appreciate the life there. My trip also helped me appreciate the real impact on the ground of the work OCEF has been doing towards education in rural China for many years.

My trip started from a small suburb west of Portland, Oregon, called Hillsboro, and took me first to Beijing. Then from there to Chongqing, where I met OCEF representative Yunbao Zhuo and we both took train to Langzhong. At Langzhong, we met with Principal Tang of Hongshan Middle School, who took us to our hotel and for dinner. Next morning, Principal Tang drove us to Hongshan Middle School. The school was quite far from Langzhong city, and road along most of the way was going through ups and downs in altitude and going through remote areas. We then reached the school, probably after about 45 minutes or so.

Hongshan is a small town and the school is located at such a high altitude that from there you could look down on the town and beyond quite far out. The school was decent in size and infrastructure, with enough classrooms, playground, dormitories, canteen, etc. During my visit, I learned that both students and teachers live in dormitories in school and they go home during weekend (I am told this is very common in schools in China, especially in the countryside). They eat meals in the school canteen. We visited some rooms in students’ dormitory, which were actually quite cold, partly owing to that walls and flooring were of cement and windows were open, but it seems that heater in the rooms would be helpful for students to stay warm during the winter season.

This school had 98 students as of now, but in the past at one point it used to have about 300 students and was used till high school grade. But, with urbanization and factors involved with that, now the school has fewer students and serves Grades 7-9 (this is more or less happening all over the world, the reconfiguration of societies with the rapid urbanization). We had the opportunity to interact with students in one of the classrooms and learn from each other. We also had the opportunity to hear personal stories from some of the students about challenges they go through, especially challenges brought to their personal life with the rural migration towards cities and changes that brings to family life in rural areas.

Stories related to parents migrating to cities in search of work and leaving children in the care of aging grandparents, internal family conflicts taking a toll on children’s well-being, economic realities and poverty are too many to count in the countryside. Seeing these places makes you appreciate their remoteness from megacities like Beijing, not just in terms of their physical remoteness but the life being lived, and they indeed feel worlds apart. But one thing the remote countryside has in abundance is the warmth and humility in the character of the people living there.

We visited the home of one of the students at Hongshan Middle School. From school, we drove some distance and then paved road ended. Then the student led us on a dirt path for few meters before we reached her home. It was a small house built from a mix of mud, cement, bricks, and metal sheets and had very modest amenities in the house. When we arrived, her grandparents were sweeping the front yard and they warmly welcomed us. They finished cleaning most of the yard so they could arrange stools for us to sit. They showed us around, their animals, their house, the vegetables and fruits they grow in their farm, etc.

Despite having meager resources, they offered us to take some of the corns they grow. They also offered us the largest of grapefruits they grow to eat and insisted on us taking some. Most of the conversation I couldn’t understand without translation, but one couldn’t but be humbled by the experience. They couldn’t have been nicer in their hospitality and generosity. After spending some time, we took our leave and I thanked the grandparents for all they had been doing to make sure their granddaughter would go to school, be able to continue her studies and have a better and more comfortable life than they could have.

Later that day, we had the opportunity to visit another nearby school, Zhu Town Central School. This school was a bit bigger than Hongshan Middle School. It was also in a small town and had similar situations as Hongshan Middle School. We had some nice interaction with the students. One of the English teachers in the school told us some stories about the students and the challenges they go through in their family lives. We also had the opportunity to visit the home of one of the students and see the conditions they live in and challenges they face. This student’s father had passed away and his mother had left home, so he was living with his grandparents and an aunt was helping them out. Their house was very modest and had meager resources, but they also couldn’t have been more generous and kind in their hospitality. We spent some time with them to hear their stories and see their house, and then we thanked them for hosting us and we took our leave.

Experiences like this make one humbled, seeing the resilience of the people in the countryside, the hardship they go through, and at the same time that they couldn’t be kinder. I think we in the society, those of us who are in a bit better and more comfortable position, owe a deep gratitude to the parents and especially the grandparents in these remote places who do their best, despite the odds stacked against them, to make sure their children and grandchildren get the education to have a better life than they could ever have had. In this endeavor, the small contribution made by organizations like OCEF is also commendable. They may not solve the larger problems faced by their fellow brothers and sisters in these places, but try the best to assist them on their journey towards a better future, and I sincerely thank them all for their efforts.

As a parting advice to students, I gave them my best wishes and encouraged them to focus on their studies and work hard, but also have fun and play along the way. Even though they go through many challenges and hardships, it is heartwarming that they have support from their teachers (who also act as parents and guardians in need), their friends, a close-knit society, and organizations like OCEF. As they grow up, many of them could come across different people, cultures, traditions, knowledge, ideas, etc., as this world is much more diverse and complicated than what they have seen so far. I encouraged them to keep their minds and hearts open, and they would find many interesting and beautiful things to experience. They should never stop learning, no matter at what age in their life or at what stage in their career they are at, but should always be curious to learn and cherish the richness and diversity of this world and humanity. This would make them more mature in their thinking and more humbled and kind in their behavior. They should consider themselves not just a member of their community and society; they are growing up as a responsible world citizen who is part of a larger humanity.

I bow to their innocence and resilience, and wish them a meaningful life ahead.

Sincerely,

Narayan Khatri

尊敬的OCEF/方玮娅：

我写这封信是想简单介绍一下我最近走访四川省阆中市以及附近城镇的情况，主要是我在那里的观察和经历。这次访问在OCEF的帮助下进行的，特别是OCEF在中国的工作人员卓韵宝和美国义工方玮娅，他们经过几周时间的规划和组织后，帮助安排了所有的行程。

访问期间，我有幸参观了阆中附近农村的一些学校，也参观了一些学生的家。以前，我在书中读过关于中国农村情况的书，但这是我第一次有机会亲眼看到并体验那里的生活。我的旅行也帮助我认识到OCEF多年来为中国农村教育所做的工作在当地的真正影响。

我的旅行是从俄勒冈州波特兰西边一个名叫希尔斯伯罗的小郊区开始的，先来到北京，然后从北京到重庆，在那里我遇到了OCEF代表卓韵宝，然后我们一起坐火车去了阆中。在阆中，我们见到了洪山中学的唐校长，他带我们去宾馆、去吃饭。第二天早上，唐校长开车送我们去洪山中学。学校离阆中市挺远的，沿途大部分道路都是起伏不平、路途偏僻。大约坐车45分钟后，我们到达了学校。

洪山是一个小镇，学校坐落在一座相当高的山上，从那里你可以俯瞰小镇和更远的地方。学校的规模和基础设施都很好，有足够的教室、操场、宿舍、食堂等。在我访问期间，我了解到学生和老师都住在学校的宿舍里，周末才回家（听说这在中国的学校很普遍，尤其是在农村地区），他们也在学校食堂吃饭。我们参观了学生宿舍的一些房间，这些宿舍实际上非常冷，一部分原因是因为墙壁和地板都是水泥的，而且窗户是开着的，但如果房间里有暖气，应该有助于学生在冬季保暖。

这所学校现在有98名学生；过去曾经有大约300名学生，一直到高中。但是，随着城市化和相关因素的影响，现在学校的学生减少了很多，主要是为7到9年级的中学生提供教学服务（这或多或少在世界各地都会发生，随着城市化的快速发展，社会将会重构）。我们在一个教室里与学生互动，互相学习，也有机会听到一些学生的个人故事和他们所经历的挑战，特别是随着农村人口向城市迁移给他们的个人生活带来的挑战，以及在农村地区家庭生活带来的变化。

有些父母移居到城市找工作，把孩子交给年迈的祖父母照顾，家庭的内部矛盾给孩子造成困难，加上经济现实和贫穷，这样的故事在农村太多了，难以胜数。看到这些地方，你会感觉到他们离北京这样的大城市真的很远，不仅是在地理位置上，而且在生活上简直是另一个世界。但是，在这些偏远的农村有一种现象很普遍，那就是生活在那里的人们性格都很温暖和谦卑。

我们参观了洪山中学一名学生的家。从学校出发，我们驱车行驶了一段距离，然后公路没有了，只有土路。那个学生带着我们在一条小土路上走了一段路程，来到一座由夯土、水泥、砖块和金属板混合建成的小房子，房子里的设施非常简陋。我们到达时，她的祖父母正在打扫前院，他们很热情地欢迎了我们。打扫完大部分院子后，才有地方给我们搬凳子坐下。他们带我们到处看看，他们的房子、养的动物、种的蔬菜和水果等等。

尽管家境相当贫寒，他们还是让我们带走一些他们种的玉米，给我们吃自己种的最大的葡萄柚，而且一定要我们带走一些。由于没有翻译，大部分对话我听不懂，但是不得不为这段经历而感动。他们的热情好客、慷慨大方让人难忘。在那里呆了一段时间之后，我们向他们道别时，我衷心感谢了这对祖父母为他们的孙女能够坚持上学，争取比他们更好、更舒适的生活所做的一切。

当天晚些时候，我们有机会参观了附近的另一所学校——朱镇中心学校。这所学校比洪山中学大一点，也是在小镇里，和洪山中学的情况类似。我们和学生们进行了很好的互动。学校的一位英语老师给我们讲了一些学生家庭生活中经历的故事和挑战。我们也参观了其中一名学生的家，看到了他们的生活条件和面临的挑战。这个学生的父亲去世了，母亲也离开了家，他和爷爷奶奶住在一起，有一个姑姑帮助他们。他们的房子很简陋，生活也很贫困，但他们的热情好客是无与伦比的。我们和他们呆了一段时间，听了他们的故事，看了他们的房子，然后在告辞之前感谢他们接待了我们。

像这样的经历让人感到谦卑。在农村里的人虽然经历着艰苦生活，但他们却非常友爱。我想，在这个社会上，我们这些处在一个更好、更舒适地方的人，应该深深感谢这些偏远地区的父母，特别是祖父母，他们尽了最大的努力，尽管困难重重，也要确保他们的子孙受到教育，过上比以往更好的生活。在努力的过程中，像OCEF这样的组织所做的小小贡献也是值得赞扬的。也许他们并不能解决这些地方的兄弟姐妹们面临的一些大问题，但是他们在尽力帮助这些偏远地区的人们走向更美好的未来，我衷心感谢他们所做的努力。

作为对学生的临别赠言，我向他们致以最美好的祝愿，鼓励他们专心学习，努力学习，同时也要玩得开心。尽管他们经历了许多挑战和困难，但他们得到了老师（在需要的时候他们就是父母和监护人）、朋友、关系密切的社会以及像OCEF这样的组织的支持，这很温暖人心。当这些孩子长大后，他们中的许多人可能会遇到不同的民族、文化、传统、知识、思想等，因为这个世界远比他们迄今所看到的要更多样、复杂。我鼓励他们保持思想和心灵的开放，他们会发现许多有趣和美好的事情值得去体验。他们永远不应该停止学习，无论在生命中的任何年龄段，或是在职业生涯的任何阶段，都要保持好奇心去学习和珍惜这个世界丰富性和多样性。这将使他们的思想更加成熟，行为更加谦逊和善良。他们应该认为自己不仅是所在的社区和社会中的一员，而且是一个负责任的世界公民，是一个更大的人类共同体的一部分。

我向他们的纯真和坚韧鞠躬，祝他们前程似锦！

诚挚的，

纳拉扬·卡特里
2019年11月28日
（中文翻译：俞东慧）

第39期（2020年3月）/No. 39 (March 2020)

海外中国教育基金会/Overseas China Education Foundation

地址/Address: P. O. Box 772436, Houston, Texas 77215-2436, USA
电话/Telephone: (281) 506-2018 电子邮件/e-mail: 该E-mail地址已受到防止垃圾邮件机器人的保护，您必须启用浏览器的Java Script才能看到。

捐款链接/To make a donation to OCEF: https://ocef.org/donation

了解更多OCEF义工工作/To learn more about OCEF volunteers and their work：
https://www.ocef.org/publication/vol-newsflash

各位义工朋友：

又是一年春暖花开的时候，这期快讯与大家分享一则50美元捐款的故事，有点长，有点暖，有点余音袅袅……

第十六届理事会在近日召开2020年第一季度会议，主要讨论了2019年财务报告和2020年财务预算、助学金项目2019年总结及2020年计划，并听取了代表处近期工作汇报，共同学习了《中华人民共和国境外非政府组织境内活动管理法》中与基金会运作相关的一些要点，重申了OCEF将严格遵守中国法律开展公益活动的基本原则。2019年财务报告和2020年财务预算待修正完善后，将提交理事会依照程序审核通过。

人力部联系新义工四人，海外一人、中国三人。其中三人分配到回信组，一人到会员及捐赠人服务部。

会员和捐款人服务部2月28日通过网络为休斯顿取信小组新成员宋丽珍、梁薇和林志共提供了培训，他们三位的加入为我们取信工作能继续正常运作提供了有力的支持。自去年2月以来，义工朱爱东、郝燕霞、马莉芳、张晶晶、沈中合作互补，分别负责下载Benevity、Global Giving、Paypal Giving fund 以及Golden Bank账户收到的捐款记录，上传至义工平台处理。至今整整一年，共计完成54份文件的下载上传，及时有效准确地处理了2844笔捐款，共计$552,354.08。

广东代表处完成2020年项目计划和预算，获得广东教育厅和公安厅审批通过，并完成2020年预算资金的网上申报工作。

图书项目部消息：疫情期间，学校都没有开学。2月16日，面向乡村老师的读书吧3月赠书正式开始，本期共有108位老师提出申请，最后审核通过了86位老师的申请。

2020年1月底，OCFE收到来自美国A城署名V的捐款人一笔50美元的捐款，虽然这是OCEF每天都在发生的事情，但这一笔捐款背后，却藏着一个志愿者与孩子共同构建的暖心小故事。

从小生长在台湾而后移居美国的V，一直很想学习如何与孩子相处，2019年她如愿参加了OCEF第七届乡村支教夏令营活动，来到甘肃会宁，担任丁沟小学小班的老师。在三周里，V和其他伙伴们通过各种各样的活动，一起与30个五岁到八岁的孩子分享了很多快乐和美好。她发挥特长，多次与孩子们一起完成了各种美术作品，包括制作雕版画。班里大多数孩子都很喜欢自己这些五颜六色的作品，在夏令营的最后一天开开心心地把志愿者帮他们加工后的作品带回了家。不过班里一位叫张涛的小朋友，似乎不太喜欢自己的作品，觉得画得不好，虽然志愿者们一再夸赞他画得很好，但他还是没有把自己的印画拿回家，甚至连自己刻好的版子也不愿意带走。V看在眼里，一边想着怎么做才好，一边小心翼翼地保留了他及其他小朋友赠送的版子，把它们带回了美国。

2019年圣诞节，V参加了学校举办的小型学生作品展示售卖会，用小朋友们送的版子印出一张张充满创意及童趣的作品，替小朋友签上他们的名字，挂在显眼的位置。许多路人都投以欣赏的眼光，他们很喜欢小朋友们纯粹的笔触和有趣的构图。在V告诉他们这些印画背后的故事时，不少学生和学校工作人员购买了小朋友们的作品，其中一位学生欣然与这幅作品合影，并且要V转告作者他的画很棒！之后还有一位学校的老师把购买的两张印画挂在了自己的办公室外，还请V帮这些作品写上英文介绍并放在印画旁边，要和来往的同事分享这些小艺术家的作品。

而V将这笔收入捐给OCEF后，多次拜托OCEF在国内负责暑期夏令营的义工务必要想办法告诉每个参加去年夏令营的孩子，特别是张涛同学：“张涛，你的画真的很棒！不是只有老师喜欢，还有其他很多人喜欢呢！”我们目前已经将这件事和这段话转达到了丁沟小学的校长，但因为疫情的原因学校至今还未开学，校长答应我们一定会在开学后把志愿者的这段话告诉张涛和其他同学们。

张涛同学只有六岁，他长大后也许不会完整记住2019年参加OCEF夏令营的所有事情，但我们相信，那个夏天志愿者们的笑脸和对他的鼓励与称许，会在他的记忆里留下一抹亮色，还有这份远隔重洋的祝福，会陪伴他好好长大。

小海（刘文龙）十几年坚持做义工，无论换了几份工作，生活换了几个城市，一直默默地替我们基金会守着对外交流的窗口。现在小海主要负责微博管理，也总是能第一时间响应相关的疑问。OCEF正是因为有很多像小海这样长期尽职坚守各类一线工作的义工，才能在较低的运营成本下，保持近30年的良好运转。

各位义工朋友：

2020年迎来第一期的义工快讯，祝福一直关心和支持OCEF的各位朋友们，以及辛苦付出的志愿者们新春吉祥，阖家欢乐！这期快讯跟大家分享一封来自受助老师与捐款人的通信。与此同时，在这举国防疫的特殊时期，我们一起为武汉加油！为湖北加油！为中国加油！所有在国内工作生活的伙伴们，请你们珍重。我们的心与你们同在！

王小丰辞去图书资助项目部副主管职位，义工李国仕接任。李国仕于2018年加入OCEF，主要负责广西横县地区项目学校的图书项目、特殊项目、网络课堂项目。2019年起，他开始协助图书项目组在群里做线上答疑工作，并从9月开始，负责图书项目图书角的新申请审核工作。

义工章博航担任暑假支教夏令营小组副组长。章博航于2018年加入OCEF，在2018甘肃会宁暑期夏令营担任队长工作，之后参与过人力组、回信组的工作。2019年作为骨干，组织承担了夏令营活动义工的招募培训工作，并对整个活动进行了远程支援。今后他将持续专注于OCEF暑期支教夏令营的组织管理工作。

本月人力部共联系新义工11人，分别有海外人力六人，中国人力五人。其中九人分配到回信组，一人分配到休士顿会员及捐赠人服务组，一人分配到人力组。另外，人力组完成2020年度专兼职人员薪酬调整以及预算，完成历年（2009-2019）专兼职人员情况报告，更新专兼职人员职责和要求，完成2012-2019组长岗位变动记录。

会员和捐款人服务部休斯顿取信小组丑倚晴、王淑荣和魏霞由于个人生活原因需要暂时退出取信工作，三位义工这几年来风雨无阻地取信存支票并扫描上传。接下来王燕来接替丑倚晴任取信小组组长，感谢王燕付出更多个人时间来挑起安排和协调取信工作的担子！

教师组义工田萍一直是个图书项目的种子老师、培训师，从2015到2018共四年的暑期培训她都参加了。她不仅点评教师的教案和教学案例，还在寒假带代课老师进行阅卷分享活动。

编辑：王琦（Kikie）                                                                               排版：汤柏