Young village teacher take care of Uyghur children in Xinjiang

Young village teacher take care of Uyghur children in Xinjiang [Photo: China Plus]

Being a teacher in China's under-developed areas is widely seen as noble and respectful. It is more so if one chose to work in the rural areas of the country's far west Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in her youthful years.

It is 10 a.m. Sunshine is streaming through the windows of the classroom of Shiliuzi Kindergarden in Yongku, a multi-ethnic village in the south of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. The children are learning an ancient Chinese poem called “Picture” by Tang poet Wang Wei. The classical rhythm depicts a beautiful scene like this:

“When you look afar, the mountains are green and clear,

But no sound of stream is heard when listening near.

The flowers remain in full bloom though spring’s away,

A human being’s approach the bird doesn’t fray.”

22-year-old Pu Baoxia (middle) is a volunteer village teacher in Shiliuzi Kindergardern in Yongku village, Kuche county, northwest China'sXinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. [Photo: China Plus]

22-year-old Pu Baoxia is a volunteer village teacher here. Born in Tianshui, northwest China’s Gansu province, she says she was unable to resist volunteering here ever since she the first time she saw the beautiful eyes of those children in countryside.

“I watched a video from a VCR of children here, and I was deeply touched by their beautiful big eyes. Pure light shined through from their eyes. In the video they said, ‘Teacher, we need you!’ I was so moved and decided to try my best to do something, more or less.”

For a long time, there have been many challenges for education in rural China - lack of funding, poor teaching equipment, and a general lack of awareness of the importance of education in remote areas.

At the same time, it is widely believed that providing the best care and education to young children is very important.

Children playing in Shiliuzi kindergardern, Yongku village. [Photo: China Plus]

With a 5 million yuan government investment to support local education development, the kindergarten was built in 2018. And this is the only modern kindergarden in the remote pastoral area located 40 kilometers away from the nearest county.

Pu Baoxia says the reason why she became a kindergarten teacher comes from her own childhood experience.

“I never been to a kindergarten myself, therefore I felt quite uncomfortable when I went to a primary school directly. For a long time, I just couldn’t get used to student life. Later I found that scientifically, early childhood education in kindergarten was very important, as it can help the children to form good habits, and lay a foundation to their future.”

Pu Baoxia teachs children singing in the class. [Photo: China Plus]

And Pu Baoxia is trying her best to do so. She believes education is not a “One size fits all” approach.

“Because the folk culture and tradition of those Uyghur children are quite different from Han, we need to use different teaching methods to treat different children. Respecting every child’s tradition and individualized teaching is very important.”

Teaching Uyghur children in a remote village of Xinjiang is not easy, despite the language barrier, the children at such an age can be very naughty. Pu Baoxia says being a teacher means patience and a loving heart.

“You need to have a childlike innocence, patience, and more importantly, you need be conscientious. Being a teacher also means to always keep learning and improving your abilities from all aspects. As an analogy, if you want to give the children a drop of water, you need have a bowl of water yourself.”

Village teacher Pu Baoxia is playing games with Uyghur children in her class. [Photo: China Plus]

Far away from modern city life, Pu Baoxia says she enjoys being a village kindergarten teacher.

“I think the happiest thing for me is witnessing their progress - In the very beginning, I couldn’t understand their language and they couldn’t understand me either, gradually they can talk several mandarin words, now they can say sentences, it gives me sense of achievement. The whole day with the children is full of happiness. Although sometimes you may feel down or be annoyed by other things, once you see their smiling faces or hearing them speak to you, all your troubles are swept away.”

Pu Baoxia and her colleague visit local villager's home after class. [Photo: China Plus]

Seven’o clock in the afternoon in a local villager’s house, Pu Baoxia and her Uyghur colleague Maierhaba are talking with the father and his son. For a village teacher like Pu Baoxia, home visiting after worktime is one of her daily duties.

23-years-old Maierhaba speaks highly of the Han girl.

“She is such a kind-hearted, and bright girl. We’re happy working together, like sisters.”

Opening a window in life is one of the reasons young people like Pu Baoxia want to contribute to society in the first place, and that is exactly what they have done and what they have achieved.

Pu Baoxia says she has learned a lot through giving and sharing.

“People always say, the children are just like their teachers - The way you speak and behave will be copied by your children. Sometime I can realize what I am like through watching them. The children are just like mirrors, therefore I will always remember to be a better person, and bring good influence to them.”

Pu Baoxia in a local villager's home. [Photo: China Plus]

Just like what the young teacher wants to give to her children, she believes the key words of the “May 4th Spirit” is “Optimistic” and “Freedom”.

“As a young people, firstly you should be optimistic and live positively and hopefully. Then you need to explore the unknown, keep your curiosity andlearn more - That’s ‘freedom’ in my understanding. Freedom means open your mind, being bold and brave, the world has plenty of surprises waiting you to discover.”

Talking about an ideal future, the young teacher smiles, says what she wants to pursue is quite simple and pure.

“I want to become an outstanding kindergarten teacher, be a part of the growth of the outstanding next generation and the future.”

(Written and produced by Lu Chang. Zhang Wan voices the story.)