As a volunteer(自愿者) teacher, I traveled a long way to a small village school in Longzhou, Guangxi. On my way there, I thought about the village, the school and the childrenn there. However, my heart sank when I arrived there. It wasn't what I expected. It didn't look like a school at all! The school had only three rooms, one for Grades 1, 2 and 3, and the other for Grades 4, 5 and 6. There was a third one for me.

The children welcomed me warmly on my first day. They asked me a lot of questions, and I told them stories about myself and my life in Shanghai. The next day, I gave them a test to find out their level（水平）. To my surprise, though the test was very easy, over half of the students failed it, yet they all wanted to learn new things. I knew they needed me.

I was busy preparing lessons and reading test papers every night. I enjoyed teaching these lovely and hard-working children, and I could see that they were making progress(进步) with my help. I have also learned a lot from them. I understand their level is becoming higher and higher, and we are good friends now.

I worked in Longzhou for a year. I'm very happy, and the experience(经历) is very useful to me. I love the small village and the children. In fact, I would like to continue working here.   

—Because trees can ____________harmful gases.

—Well, we can improve our work together to make ____________better.

—Yes. Look, many birds____________ over our heads.

—____________.

    "Volunteering makes you look at the world differently. You see how little things can change a person's life for the better, which makes everyone a better person," Mason, a volunteer said.

    National Volunteer Week started in 1974 and is held every April. It is a time to thank volunteers for their achievements. It is also a perfect opportunity (机会) to encourage others to take their first step toward becoming a volunteer. Making the decision to take the first step can be the biggest problem, because they often wonder if they will be able to meet the organization's expectations (期望). Some people fear not knowing anyone else in the group. Not having enough time also prevents some from sharing their abilities.

    The following tips can help if you have some of these worries.

    Start out slowly, and don't add too much pressure. Even a few hours a month can make a big difference in someone's life.

    Choose an organization with the same interests and common values.

    Take part in a training meeting for new volunteers, even if it is not asked.

    Work with a veteran volunteer. He volunteered a lot, and he can help you increase the confidence and completely understand the organization's expectations.

    Invite a friend or family member to serve. It is a good experience to volunteer with them.

    Finally, it is most important to enjoy the volunteer experience and to remember that not all volunteer experiences are perfect. If one experience doesn't work, don't give up and you'll surely find the right opportunity.

    Spend some time on volunteer work and you will see great changes in people's lives. As Mason discovered during his volunteer experience, "...little things can change a person's life."