Current location:Global Gesture news portal > business
'Les Choristes' for Left
Global Gesture news portal2024-06-03 18:48:54【business】8People 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
Address of this article:http://greece.ultrasupramonte.com/news-73a099883.html
Very good!(7)
Related articles
- Beware the lovers' tiff... Couples' rows reach fever pitch after nine minutes
- The main forum of Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 Lhasa Summit was held
- Xi sends congratulatory message to 37th AU Summit
- China, Republic of Congo mark 60th anniversary of ties
- Chicago Bears are ready to embrace 'Hard Knocks' cameras this summer
- Xi stresses promoting equipment renewal, trade
- Hayao Miyazaki's animated fantasy leads Chinese box office
- Xi Meets Sri Lankan PM in Beijing
- Paris Olympics: What to know and who to watch during the 3X3 basketball competition
- Guideline issued to boost development of private sector
Popular articles
Recommended
One Extraordinary Photo: How a photographer elevated a photo of star Greta Gerwig in a flash
Hayao Miyazaki's animated fantasy further leads Chinese box office
Youth employment rate may improve in August
Australia's 'expansion plan' for AUKUS raises concern
A guide to what's next for South Africa and the key figures in unprecedented coalition talks
Xi Calls for Solid Efforts to Further Development of Central Region
China committed to promoting peace talks on Ukraine issue: top diplomat
Central Committee revised regulations on inspection work
Links
- Death toll rises to 166 from south Brazil's weather catastrophe
- Iran further increases its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons
- Trump hush money trial: Closing arguments, jury instructions and maybe a verdict?
- South Africa elections could bring the biggest political shift since 1994
- China's robust exports give auto parts industries a leg
- Voter outreach groups targeted by new laws in several GOP
- Mexican government says the arm of a 19th century mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff
- Voter outreach groups targeted by new laws in several GOP
- Woman, 28, was brutally beaten and strangled to death by 17
- Xinhua Commentary: Asia's development vitality hinges on stronger China