A group of 20 IFTM bachelor degree students used the Christmas break to travel to Congjiang County to volunteer on a project to support education at a local school. The project took place from 20 to 26 December at the Congjiang Second National High School. It was jointly organised by the IFTM Volunteer Circle, the IFTM Alumni Association and the Education and Technology Bureau of Congjiang County, and sponsored by the Higher Education Fund of the Macao SAR government. The organisers’ aim was to strengthen English-language education in Congjiang, and to promote exchanges between young people in Guizhou and Macao.

IFTM Alumni Association representatives Mr. Mickey Chang Lok Hang and Ms. Mio Un Mio Chang also took part in the trip to Congjiang. They brought with them items donated by the association, to support the school’s work. IFTM Lecturer Mr. Fang Xing said the project was meaningful, allowing IFTM students to demonstrate their capabilities, while improving interpersonal communication and public-speaking skills.

Cultural and Heritage Management Bachelor Degree Programme student Nicole Liu Tianai said the most important thing in relation to the project was to make Congjiang students aware of the value of formal education and understand that studying is a long-term investment, which will bring them many rewards and positively help their life planning.

Throughout the programme, the IFTM students cooperated with the school’s team of English-language teachers. They participated in teaching activities in a variety of ways, to instil positive attitudes into the students and increase their interest in learning the English language. Many of the IFTM students that took part in the activity say the project helped them realise that volunteering is not only beneficial for those receiving support but also conducive to the personal development of volunteers.