Chinese agronomy teacher Ren Aizhi from Liaocheng University has been making a significant impact at Tonga College. When she first arrived in 2020, a lack of proper agricultural facilities meant students had to carry buckets to water vegetables – a humble beginning for a bold vision.
In 2021, enthusiasm met opportunity when the Ambassador Fund from the Chinese Embassy in Tonga helped upgrade the school’s infrastructure. Solar-powered water wells, water storage towers, drip irrigation systems, and modern multimedia teaching tools injected new life into the curriculum. Nearly 300 students have since received systematic training in practical farming techniques.
The initiative, initiated in 2019 with groups of teachers teaching Chinese language, agricultural theory, and hands-on practices, quickly evolved into a community project. Students affectionately dubbed it the "Chinese teachers' vegetable garden," as the harvests were shared among faculty, the cafeteria, and even families at home.
Tonga’s Palace Office even expressed heartfelt appreciation, with His Majesty King Tupou VI recognizing the teacher’s contributions. Now, Ren is gearing up for her return this August with a new team focused on research, demonstration of breeding technologies, and additional training sessions. The upcoming visit will bring advanced agricultural machinery like tractors, rotary plows, and cassava planters, aiming to further uplift local farming practices.
This inspiring tale of cooperation and innovation reminds us that a single seed of effort can blossom into lasting change. 🌱🚜
Reference(s):
Chinese agronomy teacher recounts teaching in Tonga, plans return
cgtn.com
