Several Year-4 students, all Chinese Language majors, gathered for a chat one day to discuss their future plans. The common wish was to do something meaningful before graduation. Group members, Au Chi-man and Ng Ka-man, remembering a voluntary teaching trip to the mountainous area of Shaoguan in Guangdong Province during their second year at the Institute, suggested that the group organise a similar expedition.

The response from fellow students was overwhelming. A talented team of 17 members was formed, with members coming from a variety of disciplines. Members pledged their services during the "Reading Week" break in late March, so that their class schedules at HKIEd would not be affected. Their destination was Huangcao Centre Primary School in the mountainous area of Huangcao Town, Zixing City in Hunan.

Preparation work took place under a very tight schedule as team members only finished their teaching practice at the end of January. Ng Ka-man said, "We had to complete numerous tasks within a very limited time. We had to recruit volunteers on the one hand, while coordinating with related mainland organisations on the other. Only with the kind support of Dr Li Shu-ying from the Centre for Learning-study and School Partnership and the amazing team spirit of members, were we able to resolve the problems."

During this time, the team also had to oversee innumerable logistic details – designing courses, producing teaching materials, soliciting donations, planning itineraries and making travel arrangements. Every detail had to be attended to.

Working in six groups and using "Acquiring a global view" as the common theme, each group designed its own syllabus while adopting a cooperative approach for teaching. The seven days were hectic. Team members not only spent time teaching and sharing experiences with local teachers, they also paid visits to six students and their families, helping to provide some of the basic necessities of life.