Four and five year-old Chinese students learn the lesson of helping others in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake
NANJING, China, May 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- In the aftermath of the devastating Sichuan earthquake, even the youngest members of China are looking for ways to join in the donation and relief efforts. All around the country, schools are running donation drives and fund-raising campaigns. Led by the school's principal, Ms. Zhang Lijun, the 190-student strong Nanjing Fulishanzhuang Kindergarten situated in a mixed income housing complex in southeast Nanjing's Baixia District kicked off their own donation campaign.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080516/NYF082 )
This small pre-school, like thousands like it across China, was quick to recognize the horror of what had happened in Sichuan province and decided to use this opportunity to teach their children the importance of voluntarism, and of compassion for those less fortunate. The school, whose student body is made up of a mixed community home to both rich businessmen and street-side food vendors of modest means, asked each child to bring in a few yuan, stressing that the amount didn't matter, even just a single yuan or two as every yuan would help. "Every donation, no matter how big or small, shows your love. In unity there is strength. If we work together, we will be able to overcome the challenges raised by this disaster." Ms. Zhang told the children at the donation ceremony.
The children were eager to give something of their own to their earthquake-stricken peers and responded to the donation drive enthusiastically. The small kindergarten raised RMB 8429.42 ($1,205 US), all of which is being donated to the Red Cross Society of China who will use the funds to purchase supplies for earthquake relief and help to rehabilitate damaged homes.
The horror of the Sichuan quake is something that these children will remember for the rest of their lives. But the other lesson, a lesson that China's youngest members will carry with them as they grow up to become active contributors to the country's evolving society, is the lesson of recognizing the plight of others, and of giving selflessly to others in need.
About Nanjing Fulishanzhuang Kindergarten
Established in 1986, Nanjing Fulishanzhuang Kindergarten currently runs seven classes, with 190 children aged between 2 to 6 years and 30 teachers. The school emphasizes each child's personal growth with special attention paid to building up courage, confidence, wisdom, cooperation, health awareness and empathy for others less fortunate.
For more information about Nanjing Fulishanzhuang Kindergarten, please visit http://s56285.s.9ye.com/school/main.html .
