Explore a China many have not seen
Christine & Patrick (center) and our friends Kin & Mary
Bo Ai School
We were introduced to the school by our long time friends Kin and Mary from Houston. Kin is a doctor and for over a decade has brought teams of medical personnel to run clinical check-ups to not only the students but also the villagers in the community. The school was founded by Christine and Patrick. They truly lived out Micah 6:8.
Bo Ai’s website to learn more about the school and how you can support >Bo Ai: A Special School
After much prodding from our friends Kin & Mary, I was able to get some time off from school and Melissa & I made our way to BoAi on June 2018. It was a very special trip. Even though we stayed there a short time, we were able to connect with some of the staff and get to know some of the students. But more special was that Kin had a team of doctors as well as college students to run the clinic and do some English lesson. One of the doctors that was in the team came to me and said, “Leo, you may not remember me but I was in your Sunday school and you were my youth director. Thank you for making a difference.” What a joy it was to hear that. Her daughter was part of the teaching team of college students.
After we returned home, I let my colleague, Chris, know of the possibility of a SoH team visiting. So on March 2019, Chris and I took a trip and by November 2019 we had taken two teams of parents to BoAi. According to the parents, it was the most impactful SoH trip they had taken.
The most special thing about this school is that it is mostly funded by donations. While it is open to the public, the government subsidizes only partially the daily operational costs of the school. The land, every building and all equipment has been donated by hotels, companies and individuals. Their next phase of expansion is to be certified to teach high school. They need funds to build and upgrade facilities to meet the government's requirement.
Three Villagers we got to know
BoAi Facilities
BoAi Campus Tour
BoAi Campus
BoAi school first opened in 2005 targeting the lower primary. By 2012, it was evident that a middle school had to be built. In 2015, the current campus was officially opened accepting students from kindergarten through middle school. The 3rd phase is underway to complete the K-12 school and accept high school students. They are raising much needed funds to meet the standards for certification.
BoAi Cafeteria
Feng Cun Village Life
Team of Doctors Serving the Village
Medical Team Serve
Villagers get much needed medical service by the team of doctors that come yearly. Also a team of dentists from Hong Kong come yearly to provide dental care to the students and villagers. While equipment limits what they can do, they provide invaluable service and guidance. They also bring much needed medicine supply when they come.
The Caves of Fengcun
People of Feng Cun
Feng Cun People
The villagers, young and old, make their livelihood from growing animal feed corn in their small plots of land, even in the hills. The people we ran across were always friendly and hard working. My impression of the people is that they are grateful for what the school and the Helping Hand Organization have done to help the community.
When Life Gives you Tires
Make Art!
One of the uniqueness of Feng Cun is the art made from used tires. My first trip in 2018 did not find many around. Since then, you can find very unique artwork from these tires throughout the village. I still don't know who does it. But it is an art form and the person or persons is doing a great job.
Distant Village of Students
The Village of FengCun
Homes Front Gates and Murals
Front Gates and Murals
It's so interesting that many of the homes in rural China have big and ornate gates. FengCun is no different. It special to see that each home has a different styles gate and different mural welcoming those that enter. All murals are made with tiles. The gates and mural provide a way to be unique.
