STORY: A one-armed Chinese young man's inspiring story as teacher aiding Xinjiang
SHOOTING DATE: June 4/5, 2024
DATELINE: July 3, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:12
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Song Teng'ao teaching and his students
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): SONG TENG'AO, Member of education assistance team for Xinjiang, Cangzhou Normal University

STORYLINE:

Song Teng'ao, a 23-year-old college student in China's Cangzhou, has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.

Despite losing his left arm in an accident at the age of 9, he has never allowed his disability to hold him back.

He voluntarily came to China's northwestern region of Xinjiang to teach, inspiring the students there with his optimism and unwavering determination.
   
SOUNDBITE (Chinese): SONG TENG'AO, Member of education assistance team for Xinjiang, Cangzhou Normal University
"I lost my left arm in an accident when I was 9. Over the past 14 years, my classmates and teachers have been quietly helping me. When I heard that I could go to Xinjiang to teach, I signed up without hesitation, because I also wanted to help others. Now, this is the third time I have been a member of the education assistance team for Xinjiang, in Luntai County. Although I lost an arm, I have not felt that I am different from others. Perseverance is something that everyone must have in their mind. Based on my own experience, I told students that it doesn't matter if they learn anything slowly. As long as they keep working towards their goals, they will always reap surprises. A teacher's words and deeds will subtly influence students. If a teacher is conscientious and responsible and is not afraid of difficulties, students will definitely be inspired to actively face difficulties in their studies and in their lives. At the end of the semester, by myself, I completed the printing, sorting, handling, and distribution of more than 2,000 test papers in 21 classes. I just want to tell the children that they must maintain a resilient and optimistic attitude in the face of difficulties, facing and overcoming them bravely. Only by doing so can they embrace a brighter future."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)