Stepping Stones China

It took me a while to find the volunteer work I was hoping for, until I found Stepping Stones. What a find! From the beginning to the end of my experience, everything went smoothly and I must thank Stepping Stones for that. Especially Hao, Tianning, Nova and Sherry. I believe that when you decide to volunteer you want to make the most of your available time. You want to work, you want to experience, you want to exchange. During my days in Guangde, Anhui Province, I did all of that and much more. I was warmly welcomed by everyone and I will greatly miss the kids energy and affection. In the end, I was the one that received the most. What a meaningful journey!

I taught for about a month near Hongmei in Fujian China. It was an amazing experience, incredibly valuable. I felt I was welcomed into the community and everyone went out of there way to make sure I didn't feel alone as I was the only native English speaker. My mandarin was pretty shaky (HSK 3/4) but enough to understand what was going on and communication for the most part, and there were a few people who could speak English so that was nice. There were definitely some cultural aspects I had to get used to in terms of teaching and communication, but none of my mistakes were held against me. The teaching program was very structured if you wanted it to be (all teaching resources and slide shows where provided) but they also gave you the freedom to not use them and go your own way (more what I chose to do)

In late 2023 I set foot in the Chinese countryside for the first time, partnering with Stepping Stones on a volunteer mission across Henan and Shaanxi. As a Chinese American, this experience was deeply personal and eye-opening. It connected me to my heritage while giving me the chance to support something I am passionate about: providing access to quality education. I had the privilege of working with dedicated individuals to help children in rural communities gain the tools and knowledge they need to shape their futures. Education has the power to transform lives, and supporting rural education is one of the most effective ways to uplift and revitalize communities. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for this journey. It reinforced my belief in the importance of equitable education and the role it plays in creating lasting change. For anyone seeking ways to give back, initiatives like this are a great place to start—you won’t just give back, you will grow.