Founded in 2001, the PKU Student Serving Troop consists of 3,000 students, most of who have received aid from the university or society. "With a heart of gratitude, they came together, aiming at helpingthose in need. They help students repair computers; they teach primary students for free; they work as volunteers in Museum of PKU History; they teach workers English." Just as their logo signifies, they are like "swallows that bring a breath of spring to people in need and give them the warmth of spring."

Logo of PKU Student Serving Troop

 
Liu Mohan, a student from the Department of History, recalled her feelings when she was admitted to PKU in 2003.“That was a moment of exhilaration and desperation. I was so glad that I could enter the best university in China. However, the astronomical figure of fee for my family immediately threw me into the abyss of despair.” Fortunately, with the financial help from society and the university, she was able to study at PKU. She then joined the PKU Student Serving Troop and wanted to serve the society. She went to teach children whose parents were migrant workers; she donated blood; she collected books for schools in remote mountain area. In giving love to others, she learned to be grateful and responsible for herself. She always said that “I can feel that there are so many kind people around me. I’m so happy to live with them.”

Liu Mohan is an example of members of PKU Student Serving Troop. Generally, they work one to three hours a week and actively participate in public service activities. When SARS swept China in 2003, members of PKU Student Serving Troop helped to maintain campus order, provide campus service and cheer students up. PKU volunteer team was commended by Beijing Olympic Committee after Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, and 40% of the volunteers were from PKU Student Serving Troop. Whenever natural calamities such as earthquakes, droughts, and floods hit China, PKU Student Serving Troop will organize charity activities to support the stricken areas, connecting itself closely to the fate of the nation.

Teaching the children

There have been many outstanding members who are the good examples of contemporary university students, and are the fruits of PKU’s education and aid policy. For instance, Wang Xingcai volunteered to teach students in frontier provinces; Yu Mingfa adheres to public service and went back to contribute to his hometown; Ma Qingyuan suffered severe serious diseases physically but still persevered with study, and was awarded 2010 "person of the year" among Chinese college students.

“PKU students today, and China’s backbone tomorrow,” Professor Min wrote in an inscription for the group.