By Du Wenjuan (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-11-09 18:57

Honor and Dreams

Zhu Can is one of those “west service plan” volunteers. He graduated last year and volunteered in a development finance service program co-sponsored by China Development Bank and the Central Youth League. He returned to his hometown this August because the plan was only for one year.

Zhu graduated from Suzhou University in East China's Jiangsu Province, majoring in human resources administration. He was sent to the county level of the Development and Reform Commission in Langao County, in the Southwest China's Shaanxi Province. He worked as a volunteer to help facilitate communication between China Development Bank and the local government.

The bespectacled Zhu who was the leader of the volunteer team in Langao is satisfied with his one-year term of service in the mountainous area. Born in a well-off family, he wasn't in a rush like others to find a job after graduation.

“I just wanted to know first-hand life in the true west and make me more brave so that I can contribute to society.”

At first, Zhu was frustrated with the living conditions, as the electricity was always cut off and the infrastructure wasn't well built. But as time went on and his dedication of helping a local middle school successfully apply for a loan and oversee its relocation and reconstruction. He was so pleased by the end result that he was motivated to stay longer.

He also gave free lessons to students at a local primary school with other team members in their spare time, just the same as he did when he was in college.

“What I did in the west really changed my life. It helped me realize my dreams of learning more about the people there. I admire those who stay behind in the west and devote themselves to making a difference without any recognition,” he said.

Zhu now works in a private company in his hometown Nantong, Jiangsu Province, in charge of administration. He said he is going to quit his job soon and take the graduate school entrance exam with hopes of becoming a teacher in the future.

“To feel needed makes me feel the happiest,” he said with a smile.

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