Lasting legacy

Some projects outlive their founders. Li Chenguang, a politics teacher from Xi'an, began his three-year support mission in Lhasa Ngari High School in 2019, a high school in Lhasa that mainly admits students from Ngari.

When he met the students for the first time, they were escorted by police officers from Ngari to Lhasa. The police officers told Li that these were among the most talented students from Ngari, and their safety was a top priority.

"Then I realized that as teachers, it is also our duty to make sure they turn into useful people for their hometown and the country," he said.

Finding that students had almost no extracurricular books to read, he started buying books monthly. After sharing his idea online, donations flooded in — from friends, educational foundations, publishers.

The library now holds nearly 50,000 books, with a Tibetan-language section and 120 reading seats.

More remarkably, students have carried books home during winter breaks — 1,000 volumes transported 1,400 kilometers by 30 students in 2020 to their hometown for students in lower grades, and 2,000 more to other schools in their hometown in 2021. "This volunteer spirit is like dandelion seeds taking root in their hearts," Li said.

His story underscores that service in Xizang, while demanding, can also propel career growth and bring material recognition. Before going to Xizang, he was a promising teacher at Xi'an High School.

During his three-year stint, he served as a subject group leader, director of the teaching research office, and deputy Party branch secretary. Upon returning, he was promoted at Xi'an High School. Moreover, there were also an annual high-altitude subsidy of about 50,000 yuan, and a travel subsidy, as well as higher monthly salary.

Zhang's ascent to Party secretary of his school illustrates that the system can recognize and reward dedication.

Pang, a researcher in Tibetan culture and regional development, said her stay in Xizang has helped with her research and led to published papers, internal reports for State departments, and further demonstrates that the relationship is not solely one of giving.

Shi has also become part of the backbone of English teaching at his school. However, he said his physical condition and long-term separation from his family might not allow him to teach in Xizang for his entire career, and he hopes to return to Xi'an soon.