My First Week In Xiayun

Xiayun in Fuxing district was never on my bucket list despite its proximity to Taipei and Taoyuan airport. But because I have applied for an internship provided by the University, I travel to this ancient mountain in Taoyuan city to have the volunteer service in Xiaoyun Elementary School (also call as Xiaoyun). The first time I saw this school on Facebook, I thought this is an energetic school. Students in Xiaoyun have excellent results in attending the different type of activities such as song, sports, and competitions, etc. After arriving at Xiaoyun, I find that there is a beautiful place with colourful decorations, views of magnificent trees, also teachers and staffs are helpful and kindness. No matter what diet or lodging problems we have, they try to help us and solve it. Students here are enthusiastic and active, we get along well and trying to remember each of their names. In this trip, the other partner (Jessie) and I will stay in Xiayun for about one and half month. During this period, I will keep my memorable days in 2018 summer with Xiaoyun by those chosen pictures. Let start to make a record!

The Xiaoyun primary school sport field.

This photo was taken on our first day in Xiaoyun. Here is the basketball court, also archery practice venue for students. Students will have morning jogging and do different sports here. They have an interest in playing basketball, many of them are the small marksman! This school will open the gates for individuals who want to play the game. Students can also start to play the game with their friends about 6 to 8 o’clock at night. Some of them even play with barefoot or slippers since their homes are next to the gate. Shoes are advisable for us to use to avoid injuries!!! So, it is better to wear the footwear! haha

The Xiaoyun primary school sport field at night. We were playing basketball with the students.

This photo was taken in the greenhouse in Xiaoyun.

It is about an aquaponics system which is done by the teachers and students. Aquaponics is a form of agriculture that combines raising fish in tanks with soilless plant culture. The nutrient-rich water from raising fish provides a natural fertiliser for the plants, and the plants help to purify the water for the fish. It likes a real textbook of natures biological cycles for students!

We were having dinner in the public area outside the living place.

That is our first night after arriving Xiaoyun, staffs here prepared a bountiful feast for us.
Everything is blessing, I am thankful for it.

This photo was taken in a studio inside a museum in Jiaoban Mountain.

Students had their audio recording from about 11:00 to 17:00 on Sunday. The songs they sang were Atayal traditional songs with Atayal language. Students’ singing is powerful, and I am very appreciated for their sound, hard work, and endurance. Cool!

Really to have breakfast

Breakfast is provided by the school. Students become the student helpers to help to allocate food for each of their schoolmates and teachers. Nearly everything here run by themselves, including the dishwashing and environment cleaning.

DIY soap with teacher

Here is a new trying for us. We are willing to stay with the teacher to do the handmade soap. The process of making many soaps is complicated. It needs to spend a whole day to finish it, for instance, we need to collect the herbs and pack them up.

The library and our job

Most of the time, the library is our office, and a part of my job is to add a barcode for all of these books. This is a tried job, but we are looking forward to a day in which all of the books are filled with barcode and students can borrow them home. Keep going and carry on! Time flies when we are having fun, the first week in Xiayun have gone. We will go back to Hong Kong and travel in Hong Kong with the Xiayun students for four days next week. Wishing we can have a pleasant journey with beautiful weather.

To be continued.