Cadets learn valuable lessons by volunteering at orphanage

From eating chicken brains to shopping in Shanghai, six cadets from Fork Union Military Academy spent two weeks immersed in an entirely different culture. Nothing, however, was more rewarding than the time they spent volunteering in an orphanage.

From July 8 until Monday, the six students traveled through China, specifically through Shanghai, Fuzhou in the Jiangxi province and the Wuyuan region. The group spent four days working in a social welfare institute with toddlers and elementary-aged children.

What the students did may not have been out of the ordinary — coloring, singing, playing basketball — but the bonds they established proved extraordinary.

“It was just amazing working with kids like that,” said Parker Brown, a rising senior who taught some of the orphans the English alphabet. “Having fun with them really made a difference in their lives.”

According to Capt. James Benson, who led the trip with Upper School Commandant Al Ivens, the young cadets not only gave but received. Journeying through the Middle Kingdom (in

Chinese, the word for China is “Zhongguo” and literally translates to “Middle Kingdom”) allowed the students to learn about different parts of the world.

“Putting some of those teenage boys in contact with these children in the orphanage is not only beneficial to the children but it does something for these teenage guys,” Benson said. “I think it brings to light to these young men that there are people living in different conditions … and helped them to appreciate not only what they have but what they can do to enrich the lives of others.”

Although the trip was a Christian mission, the cadets did not preach a word from the Bible.

“The basic concept [of the trip] is not to preach God’s word but to reflect the image of God through actions,” said Calvin Gudeman, a rising senior.

Students not only learned about a different culture but how to appreciate it, Benson said. Apart from the western-influenced Shanghai, where American enterprises such McDonald’s and KFC are found, the group visited a small rural village in Wuyuan where residents, mostly rice farmers, do their laundry in the river.

“They didn’t have any technology that we have in America,” said William Boykin, a spring FUMA graduate. “As Americans, we’re very blessed to have what we have.”

Boykin recalled that wherever they traveled, there were always huge crowds.

“The concept of personal space is a little unheard of,” Gudeman added.

Despite the throngs of people, the group always stood out.

“We stuck out,” Boykin said. “Everyone stared at us because we’re Americans.”

Almost as uncomfortable was the hot China weather. Temperatures reached the 90s, but it was the humidity that made the air unbearable, according to Benson. Barely two minutes after stepping out of the shower, Gudeman said, he would start sweating all over again.

While they may have received curious stares, the students unanimously agreed that everyone they encountered was friendly and respectful.

The trip was Fork Union’s first mission trip to China. Benson said he hopes that it will become an annual event.

“The purpose is to get these guys some experience … to see what the outside world is like [and] to take from this a desire to be servants in the world,” Benson said.