Just a week later, I once again journeyed up the mountain to the familiar grounds of Yisheng Elementary School. Before the event officially began, I roamed around the campus to reacquaint myself with the rhythm of shooting. As luck would have it, I arrived just as the students were enjoying recess. Their laughter echoed across the playground as they chased one another in carefree joy. Upon spotting me, several ran over and eagerly asked, “Is the firefighter brother from last time coming back today?” Clearly, last week’s fire safety class had left a lasting impression. It was heartening to see that the lessons designed so thoughtfully by the USR team had truly resonated with the children.

This time, the focus shifted to landslide and hillside disaster preparedness. We had the pleasure of welcoming Professor Chung from National Central University’s Department of Civil Engineering. As a father of two elementary school-aged children himself, Professor Chung interacted with the students with a natural ease and warmth. From my spot behind the lens, I was deeply moved by the way he transformed complex and technical knowledge into language and scenarios that young children could not only grasp but enthusiastically engage with. His vivid, concrete explanations captivated the students, sparking their curiosity and prompting a flurry of raised hands and eager participation. The classroom buzzed with energy, filled with the joy of learning.

As the session continued, I weaved between the groups, hoping to capture the children’s focused expressions. But the moment they noticed the camera nearby, their energy would burst forth—they instantly struck their most adorable or coolest poses, playfully competing for the spotlight. Thanks to their enthusiasm, I was able to document a series of warm and delightful moments, each brimming with humor and heart.

Following the lesson came the children’s favorite part—the interactive game session. Divided into groups by table numbers, they were guided by university student volunteers through two rounds of educational challenges. To earn a chance at the ring toss game—and a shot at winning a mystery prize—they first had to correctly answer questions based on what they’d just learned.

Scenes of the older students patiently bending down to help and explain the rules were especially moving. And even though the younger kids were occasionally boisterous while waiting in line, the moment it was their turn to answer, they snapped to attention, showing impressive focus and earnestness. During the game, the children continued to “steal the spotlight”—often switching poses before I could even press the shutter. Their boundless energy made it easy to capture one joyful, imaginative moment after another.

As the day drew to a close, everyone gathered for a group photo, and each child received a 3D-printed figurine as a commemorative gift. And just like that, the day quietly came to an end. Looking at the children’s radiant smiles, their bright, focused eyes, and their hunger to learn, I was once again reminded of this simple truth—returning to the mountains to accompany these children, to witness and record their growth, is one of the most rewarding things I could ever do.