Hong Kong college graduate gets a truly valuable lesson at summer camp for ‘leftover’ kids
Volunteer Pang Ming-lun served as both teacher and playmate to neglected youngsters in rural China
Children from rural villages in mainland China were thrilled to have Hong Kong college graduate Pang Ming-lun around as both a teacher and a playmate when schools were closed.
He was one of the many Hongkongers who volunteered through the Yes We Do Summer Camp in 2016. Pang experienced at first-hand just how desperate are the “leftover” children of rural China – raised by elderly grandparents while their parents work in cities – for care and company.
The Yes We Do Foundation has been organising annual summer camps since 2010, empowering hundreds of local and overseas college-educated youngsters to teach summer classes to children in underdeveloped areas of China.
Last year the programme sent over 50 volunteers to teach summer classes in nine schools in Hebei, Anhui, Chongqing, Sichuan and Shanxi. More than 400 students benefitted.
Pang, a Chinese University of Hong Kong graduate who signed up two years ago, said the programme not only brought joy to the children but also encouraged Hong Kong youth to become more caring.