This past summer, five St. John's Preparatory School students from China volunteered to support the less fortunate in the rural parts of Yunnan, China. In anticipation of their summer service, they held a school event attended by the SJP Community and raised $1,150 equaling 7600 RMB. These SJP student volunteers were to act as ‘teachers’ and help the students attending Qi He Primary School with their schoolwork and supply them with backpacks, notebooks, living materials, and stationary with St. John’s Prep’s logo. This trip gave these St. John’s Prep students a first hand idea of the struggles as well as the joys of the students in Yunnan.

The SJP volunteers spent their days with the students in the library and the classrooms. The school day began at 5:30 am each morning. Volunteers distributed a breakfast of porridge, steamed buns, vegetables, and eggs. Even with the harsh conditions our students had fun staying up late with each other while sharing stories and preparing their lessons for the next day.

This experience, though challenging, had many blessings. The student volunteers developed greater confidence, a greater appreciation for the less fortunate, and acted as positive role models for the children attending Qi He Primary School.