One particularly moving moment came when a group of parents arrived unexpectedly at the school. “I at first feared a student was probably in trouble,“ Wang recalled. “But the parents presented me with flowers, saying in broken but sincere Mandarin: 'You are a great teacher. Our children are so lucky to have someone like you'.“

　　Wang's story is echoed by other volunteers. Huang Shaozhu, 24, a former international trade major, now teaches math at the school. Upon receiving the reply, she was moved to tears.

　　“President Xi commended us for not only promoting local education and ethnic unity, but also for contributing to prosperity and stability along the border, which is a powerful recognition of our efforts,“ she said.

　　Su Weibing, 24, an arts graduate who obtained a primary school Chinese-language teaching qualification during his service, taught students basic skills such as phonics, pen-holding, and writing with diligence and care.

　　Sun's efforts paid off. “We've seen remarkable progress in the Chinese performance of the class,“ he noted. “The average score has jumped from the 30s, all the way up to the 60s and 70s.“

　　“I want to help the children here broaden their horizons, discover learning goals, and one day have more career choices,“ he said. “The nearly two-year volunteer service helps me grow alongside my students. That's my greatest reward.“

　　Gao Chao, a 27-year-old English teacher who majored in fine arts in college, drafts detailed lesson plans and carefully designs her teaching approach for every class to ensure she delivers the knowledge clearly and effectively.

　　“President Xi's reply has strengthened my resolve to stay here, and I will keep his instructions in mind,“ Gao said, adding that she was preparing for the civil service exams in order to continue to serve on China's western frontier.