Golden October is the season of harvest, where dreams take wing and hopes set sail. For more than eight years, the Chengcheng Branch has persisted in the Snow Lotus Loving Heart Student Aid Programme. On the eve of National Day, representatives from the branch set off with the Snow Lotus organisation on a journey to Wubao in Shaanxi, on behalf of Good‑Ark Suzhou.

Crossing mountains and valleys, travelling 1379.2 kilometres over 18 hours, the group finally arrived at their destination, Wubao.

Guided by the team leader and local teachers, they immediately began their schedule. The party of eight split into two groups. Scholarships were distributed to junior and senior high students at Wubao No.2 Middle School. At the distribution site, seeing the children’s innocent, bright smiles made every bit of effort worthwhile.

After receiving their scholarships, the children carefully filled out postcards. On these little cards lay countless words held deep in their hearts.

Field home visits followed. Altogether sixteen junior high students were to be visited. Working in pairs and led by local teachers, the volunteers called on each family. Flat ground was rare; the road wound up and down along mountains, barely wide enough for one vehicle, with steep cliffs beside them — a true taste of the famously twisting mountain roads. Most children lived in rented cave dwellings that carried a damp, musty smell. Many of these children were orphans or came from single‑parent households, mostly raised by their grandparents.

Before dawn the next morning, the volunteers set out again. This time they were assigned to Wubao No.2 Complete Primary School to hand out scholarships. Watching the children fill in postcards tugged at the heart. Limited by scarce resources, some third‑graders did not know what to write. One drew a small flower to express gratitude, then painstakingly wrote down their name.

The aided children were deeply moved. They keep this love in their hearts and hope to pass it on when they grow up.

By the time scholarship distribution finished, light rain began to fall over Wubao. Fourteen primary school students’ families still awaited visits. Most homes sat high on the hills. The volunteers passed through tunnels and climbed slopes, thankful for the teachers who escorted them safely. During each visit, they asked detailed questions about family members, household income and academic performance, recorded every finding and took photos to support follow‑up aid work.

On the way to the last child’s home, the planned route was closed for roadworks. The detour added ninety minutes to the journey, yet nothing could hold back their compassion.

Across mountains and rivers, warmth and care were delivered. May music and books flow through these children’s lives. Let our love turn into gentle rain, nourishing every tiny seed.