Graduation Trip with a Difference: Hsinchu Pei Ying Junior High Teachers and Students Volunteer in Mongolia

Pei Ying Junior High School students and teachers from Hsinchu, Taiwan, embarked on a unique graduation trip, traveling to Mongolia to serve as international volunteers. This initiative marks a significant first, as it is the inaugural volunteer program organized by a Hsinchu school in Mongolia.

Led by Principal Pan Chih-hui, the ninth-grade students engaged in teaching local children in the Great Plains and yurts. The program, facilitated by the NGO Micro-Volunteer International, aimed to shift the students' focus from exploration to service, embodying the principle that "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

The team connected with the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Ulaanbaatar before traveling to Erdenet, Mongolia's second-largest city. Despite Erdenet's relatively young age and its status as a major mining hub, the school's service was directed towards a daycare center. Principal Pan noted that while the local government provides welfare benefits, societal issues like alcoholism persist, highlighting the need for centers that care for children.

Interactions at the Eagle Center involved games and activities designed to bridge cultural gaps. The students observed that many local children came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, yet their "innocent and lively smiles" transcended language and culture. Pei Ying's volunteer experience is intended to be an unforgettable learning opportunity as its graduates transition to high school.