Current location:sport >>
'Les Choristes' for Left
sport66311People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
'Les Choristes' for Left-Behind Children in Rural China
June 23, 2022Photo taken on May 25, 2022 shows children from the Little Stream Choir performing for the elderly in Dongcun Township, Fenyi County, east China's Jiangxi Province. [Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi] |
NANCHANG, June 20 (Xinhua) — "Under the moonlight, in silence, I started to miss you, mom." A soft, crystal-clear choir singing wafts by the breeze in the lush mountains of east China's Jiangxi Province, narrating the deep thoughts of the young minds.
The Little Stream Choir was established at a primary school in the remote Dongcun Township, with the nearest county seat about 30 km away. Of the school's 282 students, 215 are left-behind children whose parents work hundreds of miles away in the coastal regions and can only come back once or twice a year.
Dongcun, meaning "cave village," is surrounded by green hills and natural caves, with clear streams flowing out of the caves to nourish the paddy fields. That is also how the choir got its name.
"We hope that the children, like a rushing stream, will flow along the mountains in their hometown to the big rivers and seas outside," said Zhong Linshan, head of the chorus team.
A Hard-Won Try
"Mom, when will you come back?" In the dormitory, sixth-grader Yan Jiaxin is on a video call with her mother. Having joined the choir in the second grade, the once shy child has grown into a confident, sunny girl, just like her choristers.
But the road to starting the choir was not even.
Until 2017, there were no full-time music and art teachers in the school. The piano provided by the local education department was put in the corner, lying idle.
In May 2017, a pair-up project was inked between the school and the art school of Xinyu University, with the latter sending student volunteers twice a week to give music, fine art, and handiwork lessons.
But that endeavor was not quite accepted among parents, who blamed the after-class courses for taking time away from homework and academic classes. But Huang Hongbo, the school's principal, insisted on opening the courses.
"Entering college or getting a job is just one aspect of life. Yet the pursuit of beauty and yearning for happiness are lifelong," said Huang, who had to commute twice a week between the school and the city center to shuttle the volunteers.
Four months later, the children welcomed Zhong, their first full-time music teacher.
Photo taken on May 25, 2022 shows children from the Little Stream Choir playing with their teacher Zhong Linshan (5th R) in Dongcun Township, Fenyi County, east China's Jiangxi Province. [Xinhua/Wan Xiang] |
Change, Hope, and Future
"Desolate," was Zhong's first impression of the school.
"I specially bought a car to commute, but it was like there was no end to the muddy road," Zhong, then 25, recalled. After graduating from the music school of Guangxi Minzu University, the young woman had a lot more to tackle.
For example, children in the rural school had little knowledge about music, and she had to teach them from the very beginning, "Do-Re-Mi." The tedious, monotonous voice training also drove many kids away.
"I was quite persistent and passionate when I came here and all I wanted was to make them stay," recalled Zhong.
The new teacher figured out several tricks to keep the children. "I tried hard to make the training fun, drafted a seemingly formal contract with each student, and also prepared some gifts to reward their hard work," she said.
Huang, on the other hand, persuaded the parents into accepting the choir.
Their combined efforts bore fruit. The choir is getting more professional and even performed at the New Year music gala of Xinyu City in 2018.
The children, too, have donned a new look. "They are more confident, brave and have made new friends. And by performing at bigger stages, they've broadened their horizons and are envisioning a beautiful future for life," said Huang. "Moreover, they've become more independent and cooperative."
"Music consoles their hearts and helps them express their deep emotions," Zhong said, "I myself also harvested love from them and the chorus class is the moment I'm most looking forward to every day."
(Source: Xinhua)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Capsule news portal”。http://isleofman.cezaryphotography.com/html-06d499917.html
Related articles
Patrick Reed withdraws from US Open qualifying and ends streak of playing the majors
sportDALLAS (AP) — Patrick Reed’s streak of playing every major since the 2014 Masters ended on Monday wh ...
【sport】
Read morePhotographer at Prince Andrew's car
sportThe photographer at Prince Andrew's car-crash Newsnight interview has opened up about Emily Maitlis ...
【sport】
Read moreDune: Part Two review
sportDUNE: PART TWO (12A, 166 mins)Rating:Verdict: A sandy spectacular Dune was bursting out all over Le ...
【sport】
Read more
Popular articles
- Candice Swanepoel wows in a shimmering black flared jumpsuit as she joins ab
- Masterful meals: Pea and white truffle soup with Parmesan galettes
- I get shamed by other mothers for being naturally pretty with a good figure
- Florida lawmakers pass bill to ban social media for children under 16
- Israeli army says it kills over 130 militants in E. Rafah
- 8000 unvaccinated or partly vaccinated health workers were allowed to keep working
Latest articles
LINKS
- Highlights of BWF World Tour Finals 2023
- New Areas for Growth to Keep Employment Stable
- China Sees 191 Million Underage Internet Users: Report
- Ethnic Minority Group in China's Heilongjiang Welcomes Upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year
- China Reaches Quarterfinals at Women's Volleyball Worlds with Straight
- Families Attend Archaeological Tour During Beijing Public Archaeology Season
- Media Center for 20th CPC National Congress to Open on Oct. 12
- Media Center for 20th CPC National Congress to Open on Oct. 12
- China to End Use of Digital Travel Code Starting Tuesday
- Major High