In the afternoon, we entered the Makino Bamboo Development Association in Daxi. The place was dimly lit with a tense atmosphere. A few people were deeply engrossed in their work, surrounded by various types of tea and coffee on the table. Without further explanation, one might think it was a study room for exam preparation or an office where everyone is racing against a deadline. The last time we visited, it was sunny and the atmosphere was warm and pleasant. What happened today?

“15 minutes until the report!” came a devilish voice, followed by collective groans. It was like a scene from university days when everyone was rushing to finish their term papers. Who would have thought we’d see this in here? Some people hurried to make final adjustments, some remained calm, and others were unsure how to spend the remaining time. The association has only been around for a few years, relying mostly on government resources. Writing proposals is an essential skill for them, and having this opportunity to learn is rare. It’s no wonder everyone is putting in their best effort.

In the proposal simulation meeting, three summer interns took the lead. Don’t underestimate these young guys; writing reports is a crucial part of university training, and their performance was impressive. Watching them, one can’t help but feel excited about their future potential and how they will shine.

Crafting a proposal is a complex skill, with the core goal of persuading government agencies to “Give! Me! Money!” “The main focus is too scattered; it needs to be linked together.” “The objective is too vague; it needs to be more focused.” “The schedule is too tight; it might be risky!” “Where is your budget chart?” Each discussion point was like a valuable supplement, giving the team more energy for their proposals. Writing proposals often requires learning from setbacks, but these experiences become invaluable over time. With continued interaction and cooperation with the government, the team will become more seasoned and adept, while staying true to themselves.