Hand in Hand

13 Feb., 2003 (Thursday)

Participatory Schools from Kunming

Primary School affiliated to the Yunnan Normal University

Kunming Mingtong Primary School

Kunmng Wucheng Primary School

Kunming Xinying No2 Primary School

Kunming Shulin No2 Primary School

Kunming Zhonghua Primary School

Primary School affiliated to Southwest College for Forestry

Affiliated Middle School to Yunnan University

Kunming No.8 Middle School

Local school:

Xinrong Wanxiao Primary School

In the afternoon of 12 February, there were 31 Naxi pupils in their best singing and dance in the school, the loud music echoed about campus, attracted the elders and kids from nearby villages. They came crowded at school entrance and blocked the pass. Where the local pupils met their Kunming counterparts at 2: 30 in the afternoon.

Not until the coaches told them to, the pupils had their gifts exchanged between them. The Secretary of the Lijiang Youth League Committee followed by local journalist and reporters came to meet Kunming little guests by expressing her thanks and congratulations on the activity. The Experts from Kunming Bird Watching Association were invited to show children body bird. Both the local and Kunming pupils listened to the lecture attentively. They suddenly went into silence when the expert finished bodying, he handed up the bodied little bird over his head and let it free before the eyes of his young audiences.

But the tree planting was one of the unforgettable activity children remembered till today.

In the village corner next to a square, there were 31 pitches ready for planting of plum trees. The saplings were 80cm tall. Mr. He Ligang, Chairman of Lashihai Fishing Association told pupils that the tree was of typical local one. It would blossom every Spring. On behalf of Dayu villagers, he hoped the young pupils grow up healthily like the plum trees they planted. Children began to form into pairs, one shoveled soil into pitch, while the other one supported the sapling. Urban children were not used to the farm tools. The village pupil helped them instead. And every single action of them showed that they were imitates of their village parents. The short stay and labor together gave pupils some feelings. It set them a profound thinking that they are not only planting trees, but also planting a long –term friendship.

Before dinner, pupils visited six Xinyu villagers' families. They asked about their income, fishing and study of child in school.

Please refer to <Pupils' Plan on ONE ON ONE>