OES Desk News: Lei Feng International Volunteer Team, a volunteer organization, started its journey with a group of enterprising and enthusiastic young people studying at the Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. On Friday afternoon 05 march, the volunteer team's official journey began with the celebration of Lei Feng Day by cutting a cake with children with special needs. This volunteer team will work with orphans and the elderly, including children with special needs in the Chinese community.

With the overall support and cooperation of the University's Overseas Education School, members of the voluntary team held various activities to celebrate Lei Fang Day. They distributed food and gift items to children with special needs at the Nanchang Xihu District Modern Handicapped Education and Rehabilitation Centre. In addition, the volunteers shared joy with the children through dancing, singing, drawing, and playing various games.

Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a Bangladeshi student studying Ph.D. program in the School of International Trade and Economics at the Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, took the initiative to form this voluntary social organization with the university's students. He said Lei Feng is an icon of volunteers in all countries, including China. When we think of Li Feng, we think of selflessness, humility, and dedication. He further said, our slogan is For a Smile.  We want to bring smiles to orphans and the elderly, including children with special needs.

A special discussion meeting on Lei Feng's biography was also organized on the occasion of Lei Feng Day. Pan Ying, the Program Coordinator of the University's Overseas Education School, Zhu Lei, Branch Director of the Nanchang Xiihu District Modern Handicapped Education and Rehabilitation Centre, Wang Xiao (Barbara) the leader of the Chinese Volunteer Team, International student Carmen Yolanda and Miguel Alejandro Ndjomo Aba Bindang discussed Lei Feng's biography.

Ms. Pan Ying discussed Comrade Lei Feng's life, his personal advanced deeds, and the meaning of Lei Feng's spirit. She also said volunteers are encouraged to inherit the spirit of Lei Feng, start from small things, serve others, serve the society and strive to achieve a more harmonious society.

Zhu Lei said in her speech, on behalf of the children and their parents I would like to thank the Overseas Education School of Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics for supporting this activity. Today, I was very happy to see the children. With the arrival of international students and Chinese volunteers, the school became more lively. The children also participated in a lot of meaningful games to let them open their hearts.

International student Carmen Yolanda said in her speech Lei Feng was a soldier of the People's Liberation Army, is a cultural icon in China. We are here to Follow the example of Lei Feng. We are here to help those who need it most. We are here because we want these kids to have fun. We want to see them smiling. I hope my participation here makes others do this kind of work because it helps us a lot as a person too.

Chinese student Wang Xiao (Barbara) said today I am very happy to participate in the volunteer activities, and spent a happy afternoon with the children. Draw pictures, play games, cut cakes, children's smiles are deeply engraved in my heart. All in all, I am very happy to participate in this activity. Thank you Lei Feng International Volunteer Team for arranging such kind of activity.

International student Miguel Alejandro Ndjomo Aba Bindang said, Lei was a selfless guy, kind and he cared about the difficulties people had in life. And that's why we celebrate this day because we want to remember him. On March 5, 1963, Mao Zedong initiated the campaign and encouraged the youth in China to follow his example.

Apart from, international and Chinese students, parents of children with special needs were also present at the discussion.

Maggie/JUFE/OES