I met 25-year-old Liu Jian at a provincial training in Changsha, Hunan.  Jian grew up in the institution, and then worked there as a caregiver, helping feed, change and bathe the young children. 

Though she didn’t have a high school diploma, the institution sent Jian to the training so she could become a teacher‘s assistant at the Little Sisters preschool.

During the first few days of the training, Jian was so shy that she avoided eye contact.  The few times she did speak, her face turned red.  She was self-conscious about her lack of education as well.  She asked me not to assign her writing assignments, describing herself as “not good at writing and not well educated.”

Day by day, however, I noticed Jian becoming more active participating in discussions within her group. I started to see a sparkle come into her eye.  After she completed her training and returned to the institution, the staff told me that as a teacher’s assistant Jian was responsible, mature, and willing to listen to others. Her peers, who grew up with her at the institution, enjoyed listening to stories about the training.

Because Jian had become so much more positive and confident, I decided to promote her from teacher’s assistant to full-fledged teacher so that she could pass her wisdom on to her little sisters and brothers living in the institution. 

When I told Jian about her promotion, she was quiet for a few seconds and then, looking me in the eye, said in a firm, courageous voice:  “I will accept the challenge and I won’t give up. I want to help my little sisters and brothers lead a life better than I had when I was at their age.  You can trust me.”

The first assignment I gave Jian was to write a reflection on what she had learned about the importance of training and about herself.  It took Jian six hours to complete the six-page assignment – she made several drafts, and then for the final draft, copied every word using her best handwriting.

Five months after her promotion, I talked to Jian, who said she was enjoying every minute of her new job.

“The only concern I am having is my weaknesses in teaching writing,” she told me.

I assured her that her teaching skills would grow and improve over time and that her first effort was very moving: “You amaze me when I read your journal entries. You write with deep feeling, and you have a strong sense that you are part of a community that includes the children and your peers that especially touches my heart.”

When I asked Jian the biggest difference between her past experience at the institution and her present position, Jian said it came down to nurturing care.

 “I used to take care of my little sisters and brothers only by feeding them, changing them and watching television with them day after day, which was a duty,” she said. “Now I listen to them and observe them in order to better engage them in learning and make the learning fun and happy.  I find ways to promote their self confidence. And I enjoy doing all of this in a happy and a trusting environment.”