Retired couple brings science, mental health support to rural schools across China

Retired teacher Xin Yuanhua from Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, first signed up for volunteer teaching in 2015. Four years later, his wife Teng Chong joined him. Together, the couple have visited more than 50 rural schools in places including central China's Hunan Province and southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Xin popularizes scientific knowledge while his wife provides mental health counseling. Children affectionately call them "Magic Grandpa" and "Dear Grandma."

Xin Yuanhua teaches students in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province. (Photo/Ningbo Daily)

Xin's connection with children in mountainous areas began more than a decade ago. A retired teacher from Ningbo University of Technology, the then-69-year-old responded without hesitation when he saw a recruitment notice for volunteer teachers in the summer of 2015. Despite his age, he was admitted to the program as one of the few science education volunteers.

His first teaching assignment took him to Shangrao, east China's Jiangxi Province. During the two-week stint, the children were captivated by his science experiments. Witnessing their thirst for scientific knowledge and the lack of quality teaching resources, Xin felt deeply concerned. After returning to Ningbo, he immersed himself in study and designed new hands-on experiments.

Under his guidance, an increasing number of children have developed a curiosity about science. Their enthusiasm keeps driving Xin forward. "I've been constantly finding ways to enhance the effects of the experiments," he said.

Xin's persistence also moved his wife. After retiring from her position as a psychological counselor at NingboTech University, she followed Xin to Xupu county, Hunan Province, to take part in volunteer teaching.

On May 26, 2025, the auditorium at Butuo Middle School in Butuo county, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, was packed to capacity for a mental health counseling lecture given by Teng. After class, one student wrote in a notebook: "This lesson helped me rediscover myself. I want to be the best version of myself."

"The children are simple and pure. We want them to love themselves and grow up healthy," Teng said, describing her most heartfelt wish.

Beyond group sessions, Teng also provides one-on-one psychological counseling for students.

The couple's volunteer-teaching story has spread far and wide, inspiring more people to join the cause.

In 2023, with support from relevant Ningbo departments, a volunteer team of retired teachers was established and named after Xin. Its members average 64 years old and include teachers of Chinese, foreign languages, mathematics, physics and other subjects.

In May 2024, the first group of 13 retired teachers, including the couple, traveled to Liangshan prefecture to conduct training and provide teaching guidance. On May 18, 2025, the volunteer team made its third trip to Liangshan for concentrated teaching support, with 17 retired teachers deployed across seven counties.

To date, the volunteer team has visited 35 primary and secondary schools across 11 counties in Liangshan prefecture, benefiting more than 70,000 students in mountainous areas. Districts and counties across Ningbo have also organized retired teachers to volunteer in partner counties, extending the initiative's reach.