Above: Dong Lu was in the Ocean All-Russian Children's Center in 2008. Below: Dong Lu stay with her students. (Photo provided by Dong Lu)
Dong Lu was 14 back then. She shared one of her unforgettable memories.
“One night after we had called with our parents, one of the kids started to cry because he was homesick. Then an instructor held her in the arms and whispered something. Though the child didn't understand Russian, she calmed down very soon.”
As a typical example of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, this program not only helped the traumatized children recuperate from the catastrophe, it also exerted a far-reaching influence on them in various aspects.
Dong has graduated from a foreign language college, and now works as an elementary school teacher. She said the exotic culture and friendliness she felt in Russia had a great impact on her choice of education and career.
“The Russian friends planted a seed of love in my heart. Now I want to pass down the spirit of peace and friendliness to my students,” said Dong.
Just like Dong, most of the young people prepared some gifts for this reunion. They say friendship of this kind between the two peoples will bring the two neighbors closer.
