Love Across Borders
"YHCCA Supports Communities Through Donations and Cultural Exchange"

On 12/23/2024, before Christmas, YHCCA organized a cross-border donation event. They donated school supplies, cold protection materials, and other daily necessities to the elementary school of impoverished areas of Mexico. This donation event was initiated by Bryan Chen, the student president of the YHCCA. He has initiated a creative project “Passing Love: American Youth Donate Materials to Warm Campuses and Change the Future of Poor Students”. We received strong support from USCCA president Min Song. Association staff had communicated with local organizations in Mexico. After learning about the specific needs of Joaquín Murrieta Elementary School, an elementary school in Tecate City, Mexico. They decided to bring some school supplies, books and materials to these children through this donation activity. At the same time, cultural exchange activities were taken to let them feel the care and support from neighboring countries.
The association first purchased some school supplies. At the same time, student members and parents actively donated. We raised a large amount of supplies within a month. Before departure, volunteers from the association sorted and packed the supplies.

On the morning of December 23, 14 people including YHCCA members Bryan Chen, Enchun Wu, Michelle Ahl, Lillian Sun, Enmin Wu and USCCA President Min Song entered Mexico from San Diego, California. When they arrived at the elementary school, the local students' smiling faces and enthusiasm made everyone felt extremely warm. Their sincere eyes and smiles made the team felt friendship and hope. The donation ceremony was simple but very warm. YHCCA members distributed donated textbooks, stationery and other items to the students. Their eyes shone with excitement and gratitude. Especially for some students, these supplies mean that they can have better school conditions and realize their dreams. The moment when students held a new book in hand, it seemed like a commitment to their future. In addition to donating materials, interactive activities were also organized. YHCCA members shared their learning experiences with elementary school students and encouraged them to study hard and pursue their dreams bravely. We also conducted English learning exchanges with the students, played skipping and running together. Laughter filled the entire campus. Although the language is different, the students have enhanced their friendship.





This event went far beyond material donations. Cultural and artistic exchanges were one of the highlights of this event. The YHCCA members prepared a performance featuring American and Chinese folk music and dance. Using traditional American and Chinese songs and dances to express the feelings of the association members, it also demonstrated the inclusiveness of American culture. The elementary school students also showed us Mexican culture through their dance and music programs. One of the performances of Mexican dance particularly attracted everyone's attention. The elementary school students wore colorful traditional costumes and their dance were full of energy. Their dancing displayed the history and traditions of Mexico. The students jointly performed this cross-cultural artistic exchange.



Mr. Song Min, President of USCCCA, said:
In today's increasingly globalized world, transnational charitable actions are increasing day by day, and more and more students and young people are participating in international charity activities. This cross-border charity activity carried out by the YHCCA not only brought material help to primary schools in Mexico, but more importantly, it brought hope and care. A cultural exchange between American students and Mexico students - using music, dance and smiles to build a bridge between young people from the two countries. This event also made students realize that we are not just donors, but also participants and disseminators of cultural exchanges. In the future, YHCCA will continue to organize this kind of charity activities to encourage students to participate in international philanthropy and pay attention to global education issues. I hope that students will use their actions to help more people in need. Every student can become a bridge for this kind of transmission, so that love and hope can spread around the world and bring more warmth and light to the world!
Thanks to Mr. Hector, the principal of Joaquín Murrieta Elementary School, for supporting the event! Thanks to Ms. Yiang Ping, the head of the local cooperative agency in Mexico, for her great help!
Mr. Hector, the principle of Joaquín Murrieta Elementary School, said: First of all, we thank YHCCA association team for coming. This is the first time we have received donations from the United States. We hope you can spend a happy time with our children. The children are very grateful for your help and your arrival today. I hope this event continues to grow.
Bryan Chen, student president of YHCCA, said:
I am very happy that the project “Passing Love: American Teenagers Donate Materials to Warm Campuses and Change the Future of Poor Students” initiated by me has been supported by the chairman of USCCA association. Organizing a charity donation event under YHCCA for the elementary school in Tecate, Mexico this christmas eve was an experience that left a lasting impression on my heart. Success relied on the communication and contributions of every team member, and I am grateful for everyone’s support. A heartwarming moment that left a lasting impression on me was seeing the children’s bright smiles as they received their Christmas gifts. Even in an underprivileged and challenging environment, and in some cases as orphans, the children radiated optimism and resilience. Their joy and gratitude, even for the most basic essentials, were humbling and taught me that even small acts of kindness can impact significantly. What moved me most was how they expressed their gratitude in simple yet deeply impactful ways—offering me small pieces of candy and tiny plastic dinosaur figurines. At first glance, these items might seem insignificant, but I quickly realized they represented some of their most cherished possessions. Their willingness to share these as a gesture of gratitude showed me that an item’s true value lies not in its price but in the meaning it holds. Their gratitude and thoughtfulness are lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Michelle Ahl, student representative of YHCCA, said:
Christmas 2024 has a very special meaning to me. As the art director of the YHCCA association, when I heard that the association was organizing a charity event to donate materials to Joaquín Murrieta Elementary School in Mexico, I signed up without hesitation. It was a perfect opportunity to donate what I had been collecting. toys and school supplies! The moment we entered the school by car, I saw an unforgettable sight: rows of students enthusiastically lying on the fence, their wide-open eyes full of curiosity and excitement. When we got off the bus and stepped into the campus, their expectations turned into warm smiles and applause. For the first time, I truly experienced the feeling of being surrounded by unbridled joy. As I changed into my classical Chinese dance costume, their voices rang out “Bonita!”—the word means “beautiful” in Spanish. Their enthusiasm and praise were not because I was different, but because I could share something with them that they had never seen before! As they performed traditional Mexican dances and songs, I was so inspired by the art they expressed that I sang and danced to their beats, as if their culture became my culture at that moment. Art has no borders! I have integrated into their artistic atmosphere!
When I perform, I see their eyes wide open and filled with wonder. It was like they discovered a whole new world, a world expressed through my dance moves. The applause that followed was more than polite—it was an electric shock of warmth and connection. After that, we threw the gifts and stuffed toys to them, and when they scrambled happily, I thought of my childhood. How I hope they all have a happy and peaceful childhood like me! After getting the toys, they then lined up in a long line to receive the already wrapped Christmas gifts we distributed to them. Then they happily gathered around us and asked to take pictures with us. Their innocent smiles were deeply engraved in our hearts. On this day, I witnessed the power of kindness, culture and human connection! On this day, I became a true messenger of international cultural exchange and transmission!
Enchun Wu, student representative of YHCCA, said:
After a long period of preparation, we finally sent the donated materials to the elementary school in TECATE, Mexico. I participated in this event as a student representative of the YHCCA Association. Although I couldn’t communicate well with the primary school students due to the language barrier, when I saw the books and stationery I donated being distributed to the students, I saw some students holding them up carefully. I felt that although it was only a small donation from us, it made a huge difference to them. For them, these items are not only learning tools, but also a bridge to their dreams. I deeply feel the true meaning of helping others. At the same time, this activity also made me realize that as high school students, the social responsibility we can play is not only reflected in academic performance, but also in actions of caring for others and giving back to society. Through this donation activity, I have a better understanding of the meaning of charity. In the future, I will continue to participate in more public welfare activities and use actions to spread love and warmth.
Lillian Sun, student representative of YHCCA, said:
Going to Mexico was an eye-opening experience. Seeing all the children’s happy smiles and joyful expressions made the long trip there worthwhile. It was a great joy to interact with the children. This missionary trip to Mexico was very successful and impactful.
Enmin Wu, student representative of YHCCA, said:
This is my first time coming to a local primary school in Mexico. The school conditions here are relatively simple and difficult. We prepared a lot of favorite books, stationery and clothes at home to bring to the children in the school. They were very happy to receive our gifts. The students here were also very enthusiastic. They communicated with us in Spanish. I can understand a little bit. I tried to speak English to them and some of the children could understand a little bit. We all learned a little bit of commonly used spoken English and Spanish through communication. The teachers also prepared snacks for us. This was the best donut I have ever eaten. I learned about the differences between Mexican schools and ours through this activity. I saw that there were still many places with difficult conditions in the world. They don’t have as much delicious food, books, a lot of stationery, computers, and iPads as we do in the United States. I am very happy to bring them gifts, warmth and care. In the future, I will cherish my current life even more, study harder, and hope to have the opportunity to help others.
