It's great to have you by my side!

    - Zhu Xiao （Volunteer of the Mentoring Program while studying at the China Capital University of Economics and Business）

How time flies, then Mentoring program has been launched for more than half a year. Many of the mentors are not social work professionals, but they are all very exceptionally enthusiastic. The idea of "life influencing life" has rooted deep in our minds.

I am glad to join this team, and contribute to such a meaningful "career". Now, my mentee and I have developed a great friendship, from the awkwardness in the beginning to being the best of friends; from his initial deference to trust and acceptance towards me. We now interact like friends. Of course, we often meet and talk about life and ambitions. I am honored to know him, because he taught me about forgiveness and taking care of others. He often said that he was happy to have one more person to care about and support him. On our growth journeys, we navigate side-by-side, warmly encouraging each other. Of course, this mentor-mentee friendship is heavily reliant on our working hard together.

We first met at Huang Zhuang Vocational High School. My first impression on him that day was a handsome and shy boy. When he spoke, he would bend his head low, seeming a little nervous. Probably because we were unfamiliar with each other, we did not converse as deeply as intended. We met again at Life Education Base, where the organizer set up many ice-breaking games as a platform to improve our interaction and understanding. During the "Guiding the Blinded" game, he shyly held onto my shirt, while I anxiously followed. By the time of the "Heaven’s Ladder" event, he keenly helped and supported me to complete our task together. Within a single day, we were drawn much closer. Since then, my mentee gradually got involved in my world.

As a culinary arts major, he was a well-behaved student in his teachers'' eyes; to his peers, his skills were blunt, but he was a very friendly person. I am happy to journey with him in the coming year. As far as I know, a great chef needs not only great cooking techniques; he should also be well-acquainted with the culinary culture. While many culinary students were more concerned with brushing up their practical skills, their knowledge on culinary culture is sub-par. So my first gift for him was a book about Chinese culinary culture. When I expressed my thoughts and gave him the book, he gave a knowing smile and replied that he would read it well and when he finished, he would tell me about it. So, as our relationship evolved from mere acquaintance to friendship, we talked about everything. I even consider him as my younger brother, and he would often address me as a "big sister".

Not long ago, I even paid a visit to his home. His parents welcomed me heartily, and told me of their high approval towards the program. His younger sister did not see me as a stranger at all, showing me the family''s photo albums and detailing her brother''s embarrassing stories during his childhood, which greatly amused every one of us. I am very pleased to have gained support and high regards from his family.

In fact, I have also benefitted a lot from this program. As I spent more time with him, I learnt more about dealings in life, and I became better at putting myself in others'' shoes. He is even my teacher in culinary. Instead of me being his mentor, we are more like partners of the same team. When he was lost and confused, I hope to be his light and lead him the way; when he was chilled by indifference of life, I hope to be a fire to warm him up. It is great to have you by my side on our paths of growth!