July 26th, the first day of the Youth Services Newsletter training

Today was the first day of the training.  I went to breakfast fairly early where I met many trainees — we chatted as we ate. We talked about our first night here. Some had a sound sleep. Others didn’t sleep well because it’s a new environment. The atmosphere was relaxed and joyful, which made me feel really comfortable – it was pleasant being with them.

The training began with us getting to know each other. Ms. Chang (Rebecca) had us pick  five candies from a cup. Candies of every color were endowed with a particular meaning: your favorite song, your favorite hobby, a special person in your life…Then every one of us who picked yellow candies sang our favorite songs and those who picked red ones shared  our hobbies. I found from this activity that the other kids are all very talented, which further enhanced my desire to cooperate with them.

The uncles and aunts from Half the Sky Foundation and Hewlett-Packard Company had extended a special invitation to the editor-in-chief of The Youth Daily, Mr. Li, to give us a lecture. We listened to him attentively. After the lecture we peppered him with questions.  Mr. Li was impressed and seemed a little surprised. He said: “You children are all talented! Your questions are all on a high level and professional!  ” After the lecture, Mr. Li gave each one of us two latest copies of The Youth Digest as a gift and signed them for us. It’s all so exciting!

When the morning class was over, we discussed it among ourselves:

Mengnu: “After the class, I felt I had learned a lot, but I’m not sure I understood everything. I think Mr. Li’s class requires lots of after-class thinking.”

Zhongling: “It all sounded so new to me.  I realize I have  a lot to learn!”

In the afternoon, we went to visit the newsroom and exhibition room of China Youth Daily. We were all so excited. China Youth Daily had designated an editor to give us background information about every photo on display and explain the skills necessary to produce each photo. We also learned about the 60-year history of China Youth Daily, which helped us understand more about how the press has developed in China as well as some big historic moments in Chinese history.

After the tour, Vice President Zhang and Director Luo of China Youth Daily received us in the conference room and had a Q&A session with us. They answered many questions we had regarding print media and provided a new perspective on what it requires to be a media professional. We realized that the success of China Youth Daily is due to the joint efforts of many team members. Also, we gained a deeper understanding about the social responsibilities media professionals should uphold as their core values.

Mengnu said: “Director Luo’s words really impressed me. He said, ‘Our information comes from our observation and understanding of life.’ It feels as if we have a long way ahead of us. There is so much to learn. I will focus my mind so we can produce  our newsletter in a down-to- earth, organized way.”

Yunyun said that sometimes she feels she isn’t competent enough to produce our newsletter. “I am afraid that I will let you down….China Youth Daily is so good.”

Nian comforted her, “Though we are feeling the pressure  now, we also have lots of positive momentum. Every one of us is excellent and there are so many people backing us, who will give us support when we need it.”

Liangliang said, “Producing a newsletter is a process. Our newsletter has just taken its very first step and out team is just taking its first steps too.  It all needs time to get on track.”

Na said, “VP Zhang’s words have given me confidence today. He said that many of the editors at China Youth Daily weren’t journalism majors.  Some of them are majored in medicine as I do, which gives me more confidence. So I will try hard to do this job well.”

Our first day ended this way. It was both exciting and enriching.  Every one of us got a HP laptop in the evening. They are so beautiful. We just didn’t want to take our hands off them.”  Liangliang waxed poetic:  “My heart is intoxicated by the touch of this laptop.”

—Nian, Chongqing