Raising their game
Sports and education development initiative takes root in rural Yunnan
"The classes included basketball skills, music lessons and dance instruction, and later expanded to include psychological counseling sessions and hygiene classes for girls," Wang explained.
He personally volunteers as a teacher every year, and is proud to be known as "Teacher Superman" by the students.
This year, he plans to stay for three weeks, and will teach English to sixth graders and Chinese to fourth graders.
"Every year that I come here to teach is the happiest and most relaxing time for me. I feel that, maybe, after retirement, I might become a full-time teacher here," he said.
Wang emphasized the importance of building confidence in the children through interaction.
"At the beginning, the kids were a bit hesitant to speak when they saw us, but now they have changed a lot," Wang said.
This change is evident in how the young students fearlessly swarm to challenge Zhao on the court when he attacks with the ball.
It is also evident in how the children confidently approach and greet new faces, saying "hello, teacher", when they encounter new volunteers.
Wang noted that the volunteers' time at the school is limited, so Puma started organizing trips for local teachers to visit Shanghai.
By influencing the teachers, they can help more students.