Of course, one of the biggest challenges for Fanchong Primary is funding. Like many schools in rural china, Fanchong struggles to find the money to pay its teachers, provide safe buildings for its students and basic learning materials such as chalk, pens, paper, text-books and desks. Art supplies and sporting equipment are a luxury that many students simply cannot afford. In winter the school struggles to afford adequate heating.
School fees are also a big problem for many families. Families must find around US$31 per year and it is common for one or both parents to leave the village in search of work so they will be able to pay for their childrens education. The economic challenges associated with paying to send children to high school or university are even greater.
We would love to hear from anyone with ideas about ways we might work to connect with and improve things at Fanchong.
The simplest way for many people reading this site to help the school may be to make a cash donation. With the help of the Huoshan-based Centre for Environment, Development and Poverty Alleviation (CEDPA), we are able to work directly with school. Donated money is used to buy equipment which is then delivered to the school by CEDPA staff. We are happy to provide donors with an exact account of what the money is spent on and, where possible, photos of the supplies being delivered to the school. Because everyone involved in the project is a volunteer, every cent that is donated goes directly to the school.
Why not drop us an e-mail? fanchong.friends@gmail.com
If you are in Australia and would like to make a donation please contact:
Dr. Graeme Smith
Contemporary China Centre
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200
Australia
In Beijing please contact:
Dr. Bao Jiannu
Journalism Department, English Faculty
Beijing Foreign Studies University
2 Xisanhuan Beilu, Haidian District
Beijing 100089
In the UK please contact:
Lucy Montgomery
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
China Media Centre, The University of Westminster
Watford Rd. Northwick Park
Harrow, Middlesex HA14LR
Buying and delivering Art Supplies for the School
Graeme Pays a Visit (and has a little fun while he’s at it!)
