What they say

Editor's Note: The Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the CPC invited five representatives of outstanding college graduates working at the community level to meet journalists and answer questions on the issues facing the youth and how they can pursue their dreams in grassroots work.

I worked at a vegetable base for two years after graduating from Sichuan Agricultural University and then served as a grassroots officer at the village for the past 10 years. Actually, I chose to learn and work in the area of agriculture because of my parents. They are diligent farmers but earned less money due to poor skills and agricultural knowledge. Thanks to my knowledge gained in college and work experience at the vegetable base, I persuaded the villagers in Shuangliu to try planting in greenhouses. In the past 10 years, I've guided the villagers to grow our greenhouses to over 40 hectares, which have brought them a total income of more than 10 million yuan ($1.48 million).

Yang Mei, Party secretary of Shuangliu village, Wujia town in Chongqing

I started my business very early when I was 25 years old, and now my company focuses on the technology research of augmented reality. I've been very fond of electronic technology since my childhood and have received many honors in innovation when I was at school. It's a painstaking period when starting your own business, especially in terms of my business in an area of high technology that requires lots of research and investment and has risks and mounting difficulties. But I feel very proud that my team and I have contributed to the nation's breakthroughs in some state-of-the-art areas with our self-developed technologies.

Shi Xiaogang, president of Beijing Xloong Co

As a grassroots medical member, I do believe that I can make my own contribution to the nation, the society and my hometown in my humble position. Back in 2017, I served as the Party secretary in Shiyakou village in Yunnan province where I encouraged villagers to set up farming workshops to vitalize the economy and helped organize free consultations for them. I volunteered for the medical team in Guizhou province that supported Wuhan when the novel coronavirus outbreak hit the city in early 2020. I then worked in the city's Jianghan makeshift hospital. We received 522 patients in 44 days, with 279 patients released and 126 transferred to other hospitals for treatment. I still remember that a patient in his 60s－my first patient at the cabin hospital－bowed to me after he was released from the hospital. His act made me feel that my efforts were worthwhile.

Yong Chaobin, director of healthcare insurance department of Zhijin county, Guizhou's Bijie city

I was raised in the countryside and I know that the schools in rural areas are in urgent need of more young and qualified teachers. I've worked in rural education for 10 years, during which time I've grown from being a teacher to a principal, but I've never changed my original heart of loving the children and education. The beginning is always the hardest part. When I first worked at Beiliang Red Army Primary School in the city's Zhaojin town, I experienced the toughest time. I couldn't understand their dialect and was not used to the food there. The poor facilities at school and cold temperatures in winter made me feel upset. But when I visited a left-behind child, the child's grandmother held my hands firmly saying that the kid is very clever and fond of me, and they were afraid that maybe one day I will leave the village after finishing my voluntary teaching services. I made my decision at the time that I will stay in the countryside to keep the children there company.

Tao Jiangang, principal of Shang'an Primary School in Shizhu town, Shaanxi province's Tongchuan city

I headed to Xinjiang with my peers when I finished my college education in 2014. I was touched that when I arrived there, a crowd of people welcomed us applauding. I have no family member or relatives in Xinjiang, but at that time they warmly welcomed me. I was born and raised in a small village in Yimeng, Shandong province. My family was in a poor financial situation due to some mishaps. I was supported by the government to finish my education, so I'm really grateful to the people who helped me. My dream from childhood was to become a soldier guarding the nation's boundary areas, but now I've realized my dream in a different job. I did face some problems working in the region, for example, the language. But the local people gave me great help and I can speak fluent Uygur now. Xinjiang changed me, and I will endeavor to make my own contribution to the region's development for the rest of my life.

Cui Jiuxiu, deputy head of Yuepuhu county, Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region