In 2008, the catastrophic 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan, China, claiming nearly 90,000 lives and leaving many young children homeless and orphaned. Displaced to unfamiliar areas far from their hometowns, these children lack access to education. AAPI Youth Voices is committed to bridging this gap by offering FREE English and art classes to these underprivileged children.
As you enjoy the blessings of life, spare a moment to empathize with those who lost their families in a single day, and those whose dreams are hindered by financial constraints. Join us in lending a helping hand. All it takes is the ability to speak English, and most importantly, to show kindness!
Student Showcase
From Earthquake Tragedy to English Learning Journey
袁龙峻：感恩学习，回报社会——2008年四川大地震幸存者的故事
Tom Yuan, also known as Yuan Longjun, emerged from the heartache of tragedy into a life defined by resilience and hope. Born into a rural family in Tumen Town, Mianzhu City, Sichuan Province, China, his early years were overshadowed by the profound loss of his family. The devastating earthquake of 2008 claimed the lives of his elder brothers, leaving his parents engulfed in grief. With the passing years, his parents, now aged 60, found solace in the compassionate support of both governmental and non-governmental organizations.
In the wake of this seismic event, Tom Yuan emerged into the world in April 2010, symbolizing a renewal amidst sorrow. Growing up in the aftermath of such a catastrophe, he exhibited remarkable maturity and sensitivity from a young age. Nurtured by the kindness of local community members and educators, he developed a buoyant and optimistic demeanor alongside exemplary academic achievements, consistently shining in his school endeavors.
Despite his determination, Tom encountered obstacles in his educational path due to limited local resources. However, with the support of benevolent members of society, he transitioned to Tzu Chi Middle School in Youxian District, Mianyang City, in 2024. Yet, his journey was not without challenges. Tom found himself lagging behind in English proficiency, as he hadn’t learned English in his village. Recognizing this gap, his teacher reached out to AAPI Youth Voices, an organization committed to empowering youth through education. Impressed by Tom’s unwavering resolve, AAPI Youth Voices generously offered him free English lessons, enabling him to make significant progress within a few months.
Tom’s story is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and education. With every step forward, he remains committed to repaying the kindness shown to him by striving to broaden his horizons and share his knowledge with others, embodying the principle that every act of kindness deserves reciprocity.
袁龙峻，出生于四川省绵竹市土门镇的一个农村家庭，父母目前已经年过六旬。2008年5月12日的地震中，袁龙峻的哥哥正在读高中，不幸在这场世纪大地震中丧生，给父母带来了难以言喻的痛苦。在政府和非政府组织等爱心人士的帮助下，他们逐渐从悲痛中走了出来，于2010年4月迎来了新生的袁龙峻。
作为一个出生在农村、又是地震灾后重生的孩子，袁龙峻从小就表现出了成熟懂事的特质。在当地爱心人士和学校老师的关怀下，他性格开朗、积极向上，学习成绩一直名列前茅。但由于当地教育资源有限，无法满足他对知识的渴求，于是在社会爱心人士的帮助下，他于2024年转学至绵阳市游仙区的慈济中学。
转学后，袁龙峻面临着最大的挑战——英语学习。他在自己的家乡从未接触过英语，来到绵阳后，发现自己在这方面比同龄人更加落后。于是，他的老师联系了AAPI Youth Voices，这是一个致力于促进青少年教育平等的非营利组织。AAPI Youth Voices为他提供了免费的外教课程，外教们亲切地教他发音、语法和句型。袁龙峻非常用心地学习，几个月的时间，就取得了极大的进步。AAPI Youth Voices承诺会继续在他学习的道路上给予支持和帮助。
在成长过程中，袁龙峻受到各级人士的关怀，这使他怀着一颗感恩的心，渴望学习更多的知识，并以此来回报社会。