Finally, we met the children of Liangdeng Village! There was a sense of unfamiliarity, shyness, and reserve among them, but also curiosity.

Teacher Li organized the young volunteers and the village children to introduce themselves. After several rounds of the self-introduction game, everyone remembered each other’s names.

Under the blue sky and beneath the tiled eaves, they described and sketched their first impressions of each other.

Paired up one-on-one to get to know each other better

As “The Little Prince” says, “Every adult was once a child.”
Children not only see the world with their eyes but also perceive each other with their hearts.

The young volunteers and the Liangdeng Village children got to know each other and recorded details: What do you like most? How many siblings do you have? How many students are there in your class? How often do you go home? Who else is in your family?…

After getting to know each other, Teacher Li explained the basic use of oil paint boxes, oil paints, palettes, and brushes. These were gifts from the volunteers for the local children.

The children, like unpolished jade, used the most sincere and simple language to depict what they saw as the truest likeness of each other. Teacher Li encouraged everyone to draw based on their own feelings, thinking about their partner’s personality and preferences. Each child drew with their own unique style.

NOTHING IS EVERYTHING.

From nothing to something, from zero to one, from acquaintance to familiarity, it’s never a difficult task for children.

Children from around the world became increasingly familiar with the Liangdeng Village children and soon played together.

After the one-on-one portrait session, Teacher Yu gave an additional lecture on picture books (lianhuahua).
Teacher Yu and her husband have long collected various types and editions of picture books.
Young volunteer Yang Lihao gifted a picture book from their collection to each Liangdeng Village child.