Never too old to learn or to teach
Print Edition
If I were five years younger, I would start three more courses,” said 76-year-old Chen Daosen of Pujiang Town.
Chen and his wife Li Yujun have been volunteer community lecturers in literature and the arts since 2009.
The couple has taught more than 150 students so far, and Chen is lovingly called “Professor Chen” or “the good man of Pujiang “ by his neighbors.
Chen majored Chinese language and literature in college but went on to have a successful career in nuclear technology until retirement in 1995.
With free time on his hands, he and his wife returned to the campus to study Chinese painting.
Then they had an idea. Why not share their love of the arts with others? So they began giving community classes in local neighborhoods, attracting many senior citizens.
In 2009, the couple settled in Pujiang, where they began their first Chinese painting class.
They now have five classes a week, teaching people to sing, paint and recite literature. Some of the classes are held in community centers; others in Chen’s home. Each class has about 20 students.
Art pursuits
One of them is Wang Ming, 62, a retiree who has been studying with Chen for several years.
“Before I started to attend the art classes, I used to spend my retirement time playing mahjong all the time, but it left me feeling empty,” said Wang, who now sings in one of Chen’s musical groups and has learned to paint. “We really appreciate Professor Chen’s volunteer work.”
Chen devotes weekdays to teaching and weekends to preparing classwork. The couple has a son and daughter, often noting humorously that they seem to be busier than their children.
The couple said the ultimate goal is to help Pujiang residents learn to sing songs in foreign languages and to be able to do a Chinese painting.
“We love art and hope these pursuits will help people,” Chen said. “The art classes have become great opportunities for retired folks to get together and socialize while they are learning. It helps ease any feelings of old-age isolation.”
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