A team of twenty-three members of the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) formed this year's Volunteer Team to carry out volunteer teaching activities at the Guan Dong High School of Congjiang County, Guizhou Province, from 7 to 13 June 2026. UTM’s student volunteers expressed deep gratitude for both the opportunity to engage in this form of meaningful contribution to the junior high school students, as well as to UTM and the Congjiang Education Bureau for their arrangements.
Congjiang County is located in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. The poverty rate among the county's residents is relatively high, yet through the continued support of the nation's poverty alleviation policies, housing, livelihoods, and educational opportunities are continually improving for the county’s poorest residents.
Led by UTM Lecturer Stephen Sayers, this marks UTM’s tenth volunteer trip to Congjiang County spanning seven years. Sayers shared that he was impressed by the core team's detailed preparations. Transportation and accommodation were well-managed. Initial team-building activities led to an enhanced sense of common purpose. This was achieved through a visit to a Dong nationality village, raising the volunteers’ capacity to have conversations with junior high-school students on the theme of “excellence”, and going on home visits. Furthermore, the team communicated closely with local teachers for better lesson planning. Naturally, the many shared meals and T-shirts also went far in unifying the volunteers’ sense of identity and purpose.
In Congjiang, the main purpose was to build friendships with the junior high school students and to help them develop a stronger desire to learn English, since English poses an obstacle for many students attempting to enter university. UTM’s volunteers expressed autonomy and adaptability in planning and delivering lessons both from the textbook, as well as their own to raise enthusiasm in learning.
At the same time, seven consecutive years of volunteer teaching in Congjiang County, home to several minority communities, combined with the volunteers’ commitment and positive attitude, has won a very high level of trust and support for UTM and its volunteer team. This was reflected in remarks from Principal Pan Xiaode (潘橋德校長), who encouraged his English teachers to open their classrooms as much as possible for UTM’s student volunteers to interact with local pupils. The event also featured formal opening and closing ceremonies with full-school attendance, alongside a traditional Dong Minority farewell ceremony accompanied with handcrafted gifts. Principal Pan openly expressed admiration and gratitude for the conduct of UTM’s volunteers and the level of personal sacrifice and contribution made to meet the educational needs of students at his school. Moreover, he thanked the university for the donated supplies of sports equipment, books, and other small gifts, which were provided by the UTM Alumni Association.
Sayers noted this 10th trip was very special for the student’s capacity to organize and carry out their responsibilities, and for the growing recognition from local leaders and teachers remarked concerning the high standard of teaching delivered by UTM volunteers and their positive service attitude. Moving forward, UTM will continue exploring ways to deliver more meaningful and distinctive educational support to Congjiang County, so that increasing numbers of local students and student volunteers can gain even greater benefits.
Content: Stephen Sayers, UTM Lecturer
Photos
1. School leaders, English teachers, UTM VC, and students at the official opening and closing ceremonies. The students are giving a traditional send-off of the Dong minority. There is a growing reputation and recognition for the good behaviour, attitudes and quality of our volunteer teaching as seen in the greater space Principal Pan allowed us to offer lessons both from the textbook and general life lessons for his students, as well as in his opening and closing remarks.
2. The UTM Volunteer team of June 2026. This year 15 undergraduates, 5 Master's students and 2 PhD candidates formed the team.
3. Students Lesson planning and Team-Teaching
4. Public Lecture and informal interactions
5. Brief excursion to maintain good relations with Principal Liu of the No. 2 National Minorities Junior High School of Congjiang County, Guizhou Province. Although we don't always volunteer at her school, the friendship has continued since 2019. Her school recently amalgamated with another and she is responsible for over 3,200 students.
6. Team building: Conversations on Learning About Excellence, Home Visits for Guan Dong students' homes, cultural visit to a Dong Village and sharing meals
