Explore a China many have not seen
Key to Education establishing our cooperation
The two buildings YCIS funded: the ECE and administration
Parents/grandparents waiting for their children
Local Education of Ministry officials
Due to road block, we had to walk the last km to school
School initiates bi-lingual learning
The school exhibiting a growth mind-set
Side of the ECE building with the establishment of our cooperation
Wananzhen Xilian Primary School in Hebei
Our 3rd SoH school, Wananzhen Xilian Primary School, was established March 26, 2013 in Hebei province. It is a three hour drive from Beijing. Our first trip took place a month later in April. My colleague, Chris, and I joined the YCIS Beijing school in the inaugural trip. This inaugural trip would usher in a unique relationship with the school for years to come.
Our team slept in sleeping bags using two of the newly built classrooms. While this was not unique (we slept in the school in Anyue first), it was the only school where our students had to cook our meals. We were divided into teams and each team took turns cooking and others cleaning. The second unique aspect of this school is how much they embraced the teaching styles and activities we did with them. We provided art lessons, PE activities and I even did the Cha Cha Slide and Chicken Dance. While none of the other school gave our activities any thought, Xilian observed what we did and said, "We can do this." They not only did, but they did it even better. It brought so much joy to see them embrace what we shared with them.
Our April 2013 Inaugural Trip Gallery
1st time meeting students
Warm Welcoming Reception
We did not know what to expect, but we felt warmly welcomed by the students, staff, and the community. Having such a long relationship with the school made it possible to see many of the students grow and graduate and even see them at their new middle school. That was precious.
Xilian Buildings and classrooms
Wananzhen Village
Through the Years Galleries
Activities 2013-2015
Our Teams at Work
Our first team visited Nov 2013. It was an eye opener for them. It was their first exposure to a truly rural China and experience how the people live. It was a life changing experience to everyone involved and the beginning of wonderful relationships with their teachers and students.
Activities 2016-2018
Our Activities Improve
One unique aspect about this school is how the staff embraced our ideas and techniques. Unlike other schools we have visited, their staff always had an active role in all our activities. They observed and learned. Our activities gave them ideas for their own teachings. They began to say "We can do this." They not only did it but they raised the bar very high. It was such a joy seeing this. They even adopted my Cha Cha Slide dance as part of their exercise routine.
Golden Harvest
Golden Sunrise and Sunsets
It’s Show Time
First time students see themselves on Big Screen
One of the things I enjoyed doing after our visits was to take snapshots and create a video for the school. I created several videos for them over the years. Their reaction seeing themselves on big screen was priceless: Embarrassment, joy, surprise, and even awestruck.
Xilian Service Opportunities
Village Homes
The Uniqueness of the Home Murals
Every province and county have their own unique architecture and style. Most home in the northern part of China have large mural decorated with ceramic tiles with beautiful painting. Not one home had the same painting. The gate to their homes are also unique in design.
Walk of Fame
Man Builds Temple using Recycled Materials
School’s Community
Mifan Mama Eye Examination
Eye Exam for Students
YCIS partnered with Mifan Mama charity organization to provide eye examination for each student. They arranged all necessary equipments and follow-up for those students with more serious eye conditions. Eye glasses were provided for those students that needed them. This trip marked the first and only time that Melissa was able to visit this school.
