"Teacher, I used to think that you were like an elder sister and close to us, but now I feel that you are more like a mother and worry about everything for us." At the end of the first class exam, I sat on the bus with the children on the way back. A sincere word from Xiao Re made my eyes moist with tears. Turning around and looking out of the car, the endless Taklimakan Desert is witnessing the budding of desert flowers.

In July 2022, I came to Hotan, Xinjiang, from a small city in Anhui Province, in the name of youth, to go to this western engagement, hoping to nourish these promising seeds with youth and dedication in this short period of time, and look forward to their blooming flowers in the desert.

On the first day of class, I gave them the first lesson. In class, I showed them the beautiful scenery of the motherland and told them my own learning experience. I hope they can be inspired and understand the truth that "reading changes destiny".

Compared with the knowledge in books, the truth of life is more important. I used theme class meetings, Young Pioneers classes, practical activities, etc. to integrate the sacred mission of "educating people for the party and the country" into daily life and focus on regular activities, so as to help children grow into "red children".

Since the operation of the "village based school contracting" mode of Bakdun Village Primary School, there have been six batches of 185 volunteers from all over the country for the Western Plan to come to the Desert Primary School to provide volunteer education. I am the sixth group of volunteers here, and also a very lucky group.

With the continuous efforts of generations of volunteer teaching teams, both students and parents now understand the importance of education. At night in the primary school of Bakdun Village, we often see a classroom lit up until late at night. It is the sixth grade children who are working hard to usher in the turning point of their life by passing the internal first class examination, and go out of the desert to have a look farther away.

Compared with the status of teacher, I prefer that children treat me as their sister after class. After class, children often pull me to chat with them, from what books they are reading recently to what they want to do in the future.

"I want to be a star agent, so I can see him every day!"

"I want to be a doctor. My sister is also in medical school now. I think it's cool to save people!"

"Teacher, can I be a teacher like you?"

I am lucky to light the light of faith in my heart for children, and I hope this light will not go out.

Author: Yang Rujia, a volunteer of the 24th Xinjiang University Graduate Education Support Group, is currently serving the primary school (kindergarten) in Bakdun Village, Tawakule Township, Hetian County, Hetian Prefecture, Xinjiang.