“Let the glory of labor and greatness of creation be the strong voice of the era, let the most glorious, loftiest, greatest and most beautiful labor become common practice.” General Secretary Xi Jinping’s made a profound interpretation of the meaning of labor, triggering a strong resonance among the students of JISU. At present, lots of students shared their experiences and feelings about joining in farming and helping their parents do housework at home during this special period.

Shao Dongyu is adjusting the temperature of the strawberry farm.

Shao Dongyu, a junior student majoring in marketing, lives in Jinsan Village, Yongji County, Jilin City, Jilin Province. During the epidemic, he worked with his parents. Recently, it is the time for fresh strawberries to be picked. After completing his tasks for classes, he will take care of strawberry seedlings with his parents, learn field management, and how to use modern production equipment. He was touched a lot and said: "Every day I follow the elders to the field and greenhouses. Although I have a backache, I feel that I have learned and gained a purpose. Through labor, I not only learn, but also become more mature in the process of experiencing a different “field classroom”. I will cherish time more, love life, respect labor, and study hard in the future.

Xia Hui is weeding.

Xia Hui, a freshman majoring in Indonesian. She lives in the third group of Nala, Tianba Village, Dewo Town, Anlong County, Guizhou Province. There are six people in her family and two mu (a Chinese unit) of fields. During the spring plowing period, she helped her parents plant corn. By labor, she learned the greatness of hard work. She said: “We used to plow with an ox, but now machines are used. Seeing the changes of my hometown, we are very happy. Currently it is the season for us to grow corn, so my family and I have been busy planting corn since early March. This special experience of cultivation makes me so impressed because my parents work diligently in order to give the whole family a safe and happy life. They have contributed a lot to provide me the opportunity to study. I will study hard, enrich myself, and make contributions to the society so that I can repay my parents.”

Zhang Chengkun is drying corn kernels.

Zhang Chengkun is supplying water for the cattle to drink.

Zhang Chengkun, a junior majoring in e-commerce, lives in Jingquan Village, Gongpengzi Town, Fuyu City, Jilin Province. His family lives by raising cattle. From the beginning of the winter holiday, he gets up at half past five every morning, and prepares to feed cattle every day. He dries corn kernels and cleans the cowshed during the day, and feeds the cattle before sunset. He says: “My family is different from the general farmers because there is no slow season (in farming). We have to get up early year round, regardless of terrible weather. My parents are getting older, now I can help my parents and share some heavy work because I can stay longer at home this year. Through my contributions, I deeply realized how difficult it was for my parents to support my education. I will study harder to live up to my parents’ expectations.”

Zhang Liqiu watering vegetables in the greenhouse.

Zhang Liqiu setting up the tent for the greenhouse

Zhang Liqiu, a freshman majoring in Russian, lives in Huajiaqiao Village, Huajia Town, Nong'an County, Changchun City. Her parents grow tomatoes and other vegetables to support the whole family. During the stay at home order, she always helped her parents grow vegetables and water them. She said: “Working in the greenhouse was really humid. When sweat fell on the ground drop by drop, I came to realize my parents’ hard work. It dawned on me that only the toil of labor can earn a happy life.”

Hou Shuan spraying pesticide in the vegetable field.

Hou Shuan, a junior student majoring in Chinese Language and Literature, lives in Group 5, Xiaolihou Village, Dalu Lixiang, Shangcai County, Zhumadian City, Henan province. Every spring is plowing season. His family is busy working from dawn until dusk. During the time spent at home for prevention of COVID-19, he helped his family with work in the field, which made him very happy. After studying for a period of time, he would spray pesticides and weed in fields, cook and complete housework. He said: “The exhaustion of study is not equal to one ten thousandth of my mother’s hard work. Every time I work in fields, I learn a lot. Both study and work are practical needs.”

Yang Yulin learning to pick tea.

Yang Yulin, a graduate student of Master of Education in 2019, lives in Longmu Town, Nankang District, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. Around early March, the tea picking season begins. She came early to the tea garden of her grandfather in the town of Pingfu in Shangyou County to help pick tea. She had to learn how to pick tea and the process of producing tea. She said: “Picking tea seems pretty easy, but it is not. When picking tea, we need to use the index finger and thumb to clamp the middle of the tender stalk between the leaves, and use the elasticity of the two fingers to pick the tea leaves to conserve energy and improve efficiency. During the process of tea-picking and chatting, I have experienced the challenges my parents have. I need to create my happy life with my own hands. I believe that through the power of labor and knowledge I will eventually usher in the future, which I look forward to doing.”

Wang Handuo working in the field.

Wang Handuo, a sophomore student majoring in English, lives in Jiusheng Village, Gongzhuling (Princess) City, Jilin Province. Wang Handuo said: “Since entering the university, I have had less time to spend with my parents. After studying, I help my parents in the field to make preparations for spring plowing. I suddenly feel sore all over after bending to work for a while; which also allows me to truly understand my parent’s hard work. At the same time, I have determined to study harder to repay my family and society. It is a great pleasure for me to be with my parents. Every day I spend at home is wonderful and meaningful.”