Despite the key role they play in their communities, local schools for migrant children are typically under-resourced and crowded, with up to 74 children in a class.
In an effort to help, the Canadian Embassy in Beijing donated much-needed equipment to two primary schools - the Xiangyang Xiwang and the Xingzhi Migrant Children’s School - both of which accommodate children of migrant workers who do not have access to state-funded education. By providing basic education to 1,700 children of migrant workers, these schools help increase literacy and prevent child labour.
The organization of a Charity Bazaar by the Embassy, together with direct donations helped the Canadian Embassy raise over RMB 16,400 (CAD $2,500) for these schools. With this money, the Embassy provided new blackboards for every classroom in the Xiangyang Xiwang School, complete with chalk and erasers. Math teaching tools; footballs, electronic organs and recorders for English learning were also provided to the schools.
The Embassy also donated MP3 speakers for every classroom in the Xingzhi Migrant Children’s School, so teachers can play music and other audio material to the students.
At the donation ceremony that took place at one of the two schools, Ambassador David Mulroney recognized the contribution of the schools:
“These schools, the children and their parents, demonstrate the courage and hope that drives today’s China - the courage of people who migrate from rural areas to Beijing to earn a better living and the hope that education offers their children.”
The principals, staff and students of both schools were deeply touched by the donation gifts. The children presented the Ambassador and Embassy staff with drawings and paper flowers that they had made as a symbol of their thanks.
The Canadian Embassy has a special connection with both schools through the CIDA Civil Society Program and the Canadian Olympic Committee which donated supplies to the Beijing Xingzhi Migrant Children’s School following the 2008 Olympic Games.
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