In the remote mountains of Guangxi, China, a German teacher named Eckart Löwe, known as Lu Anke, dedicated his prime years to teaching underprivileged children. His 20-year commitment to improving rural education made him a beloved “father” figure to countless left-behind children. Despite his efforts and the positive impact he made, Lu Anke was ultimately forced to leave China.
A German teacher’s challenging journey to China
Lu Anke’s journey with China began in the summer of 1990 when he was just 22 years old. A three-month trip to China profoundly changed his life, compelling him to contribute to China’s education system. By 1992, he was accepted into Southeast University in China, later transferring to Guangxi Agricultural University. This move cemented his lifelong connection to Guangxi.
In 1997, Lu Anke embarked on his mission to teach in rural China. Initially, he faced numerous obstacles, including an unsuccessful attempt to start a youth learning class in Guangxi. He then volunteered to teach German at a school for disabled children in Nanning, but had to return to Germany when he was unable to obtain a work permit.
Returning to China in 1999, Lu Anke and his friend established the Nanning office of the German Waldorf Education Friendship Association, where he served as the chief representative. He soon began teaching English at a middle school in Donglan, one of Guangxi’s poorest counties. Unlike other teachers, he avoided using textbooks and tests, favoring a creative approach to language learning. However, this method clashed with the traditional views of parents and teachers, who valued high test scores over innovative thinking.
Connecting with children in remote villages
Despite initial setbacks, Lu Anke continued his mission in even more remote areas. He moved to a village in Aidong Town, renting a room for just 10 yuan a month. There, he taught teenagers who had never attended school, speaking only the local Zhuang language. Lu Anke’s efforts extended beyond education; he taught them Mandarin, map reading, and road construction. Although he found their thinking rigid, he never gave up.
In 2003, Lu Anke started teaching at Banlie Village Primary School, five hours away by mountain road. Most of the children were left-behind, their parents working far away. The children initially distrusted this foreigner, but Lu Anke gradually gained their respect and affection through his unwavering dedication. He taught multiple subjects and instilled in them an understanding of environmental conservation and social responsibility.
The unwelcomed hero
Despite his noble work, Lu Anke faced relentless scrutiny and suspicion. Online sources revealed that despite Lu Anke never taking a penny or receiving official assistance in his 20 years of teaching in China, some officials warned him to avoid discussing Chinese education and left-behind children or face accusations of illegal activities and potential deportation.
Lu Anke’s blog post clarified the situation. He wrote: “To avoid hurting your self-esteem, I shouldn’t meddle in left-behind children’s affairs.” Yet, he also said: “If I give up, the students will be very sad.”
His honesty shows his deep concern for these left-behind children who have no school to go to and no one to take care of them, prompting us to reflect on why ordinary Chinese people were moved by his kindness, yet officials were not. Why could a foreigner see and address the plight of left-behind children while relevant departments turned a blind eye? If they genuinely cared about the children, why force this dedicated foreign teacher who came to lend a helping hand into a dilemma where he could neither continue nor give up?
In 2010, he married a Chinese volunteer, allowing him to stay temporarily, but by the end of 2012, he had to leave again. He even moved to Vietnam to stay close to China, yearning to return to the children he cared for.
Lu Anke’s departure left a void in the lives of the children he taught. They wrote heartfelt messages, expressing their gratitude and longing for his return. Despite the official stance, Lu Anke’s story highlights the profound impact one individual can have on a community, challenging rigid systems and offering hope and warmth to those in need.
In an interview with journalist Chai Jing, Lu Anke reflected on his experiences and the cultural differences between China and Germany. He questioned the fear of making mistakes and shared personal stories, emphasizing the importance of understanding and adapting to different educational philosophies.
Reflecting on Lu Anke’s legacy
In the vast country of China, why is there no recognition for such heartfelt dedication to children’s education? Instead, when discovered by authorities, there’s an effort to suppress it. Is it driven by intense insecurity or attempts to cover up some hidden conflicts of interest?
This German, who brought journalist Chai Jing to tears when she interviewed him, taught in China’s remote mountains for 20 years without compensation, only to be insulted and deported. Today, we Chinese owe him a “thank you.”
Translated by Katy Liu
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