Lu Yi-Zhan (Luffy) took part in ADLINK Education foundation-supported journeys across Chengdu and Western Sichuan, balancing youth engagement with meaningful personal challenges. He shares his reflections below.
ADLINK Youth Exploration Camp: Yi-Zhan's Insight
With the support of ADLINK foundation, I was fortunate to first take part in a camp in Chengdu, where I led children in exploring this city rich in history and culture. Over five days together, I not only accompanied them to visit landmarks and complete tasks, but also ate with them, lived alongside them, and even slept in the same room at night. The children’s innocent smiles and occasional small complaints added warmth and humanity to the journey.
After that, I joined the Western Sichuan Exploration Camp. Traveling from the Chengdu Plain up toward the plateau, the scenery before my eyes gradually shifted from a bustling city to vast, magnificent grasslands. Upon first arriving at high altitude, I quickly felt the effects of altitude sickness—my breathing became rapid, my chest felt as if it were weighed down by a stone, and a dull headache set in. The physical discomfort reminded me that this would not be an easy journey. Yet when I looked up and saw the endless blue sky, all the hardship suddenly felt worthwhile.
The most unforgettable experience was our challenge at Yading Nature Reserve, hiking toward the Five-Color Lake. As the altitude increased, every step felt like carrying a heavy burden, and my breathing could never quite keep up with my pace. To make matters worse, we were caught in a sudden downpour along the way. Cold wind and rain lashed against our faces, soaking our clothes in an instant. The lack of oxygen made my head throb, my ears buzzed, and at one point I truly doubted whether I could make it to the end. In moments like these, my companions encouraged one another—someone patted my shoulder and said, “Just hang on a little longer, we’re almost there,” someone offered me a sip of water, and others reminded everyone to slow down and adjust our breathing together. These seemingly simple gestures felt like a warm current, helping me rediscover the strength to keep moving forward.
When we finally reached the Five-Color Lake, the scene before us transformed all the hardship into deep emotion. After the rain, the lake shimmered with extraordinary colors amid a veil of mist, like a masterpiece painted by nature itself. At that moment, we exchanged smiles, knowing that this difficult journey had become especially precious because we had faced it together.
From Chengdu to Western Sichuan, these two very different experiences echoed each other. The first taught me how to guide children with patience and care; the second, through high-altitude trials and mutual support among teammates, allowed me to see my own perseverance and the power of teamwork. What the foundation gave me was not just a free trip, but an opportunity to witness my own growth and breakthrough. In the future, I hope to turn these gains into concrete action—continuing to participate in education and cultural exchange, so that more people can step out of their comfort zones and see a broader world.
