Ms. Zhou Couseling: Teaching in the Village

Yesterday, some leaders and I came to teach in a village called GuanYuan. At 8 o’clock in the morning, we came to the meeting room which was nice and bright in the village. Upon arriving, I only saw two people there. I asked why there were so little people and someone said that the old branch secretary broadcasted the news that the lesson was about health and the villagers were sick of selling medicine and health products so they didn’t want to come.

The women’s federation chairman in the county accompanying me, was somewhat embarrassed. I was also very upset. The president decided to introduce myself and my lessons by the big trumpet immediately. Then, we went to wait in an office upstairs. After about 10 minutes, a village came to us and told us to begin teaching because there were so many people. I went downstairs doubtfully. Oh my God, over 60 people had come to the meeting room.

I kept teaching until 11 o’clock and nobody was willing to leave. The old village head summarized the speech, "Teacher Zhou talked about the things that happened in our daily life and we never have such practical lessons before in our village. Is the lesson great? Ms.Zhou, look, there is no movement in the whole meeting room and all the old people and the children are listening carefully. This is a rare situation. I didn’t know that your speech was so great. At first the leaders told me that someone would come to give a speech. I broadcasted the news inappropriately. I hope you don’t mind." Some cadre and villagers insisted that I stay for dinner since they wanted me to talk more.

The old village head took a pen and wrote my phone number on the back of his hand. I ripped a paper from a book and wrote down my number. Many people snatched the paper and the old village head said loudly, "Don’t snatch. I will give the number to all the people who need it."

I wish that I could stay with them more but I didn’t want them to prepare me dinner since that would have made everything more complicated. When I left, it was almost half past 11.

Even though I was very tired, I was very happy.

-Translated by volunteer Xiaoran, Edited by intern Kevin Mo

Story link: www.toumingyu.org/zhouyonghong/story/6232/