Volunteer teacher Chen Zichao, who has taken part in the program for three years, wants to learn new things and also to help the 36 students in his class get to know themselves better, accept who they are, and become their better selves.

In the course of their teaching, Zhou and her team have explored a number of different programs to help narrow the regional gap and foster opportunities for rural children, including organizing city trips, running lunch programs and setting up dental health services.

Last year, she was named a Good Samaritan of Guizhou and in 2022 she was given the province's May 4th Youth Medal.

After 12 years devoting herself to rural education, Zhou says that she is happy that some of the students she has taught have come back to their villages to work with her.

Contact the writers at wangqian@chinadaily.com.cn