In Chinese culture, red envelopes are passed among family and friends at holiday times as symbols of good wishes. In 2014, the popular mobile social media app WeChat brought red envelopes into the cyber world, and the new feature has been gaining popularity ever since. Last year, OCEF began to take advantage of the platform and facilitate an easy donation process through the red envelope function. In that first campaign, OCEF raised RMB 101,110 from 2,117 red envelopes. The funds were subsequently used to support more than 30 students ranging in age from elementary school to high school, and to purchase new desks and chairs for two rural schools in Shandong Province.
This year, the renewed red envelope campaign around Lunar New Year has drawn broad attention and strong support among WeChat users. As of February 28, the foundation has raised RMB 78,234 from 1,206 red envelopes.. OCEF would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants in the campaign, regardless of the amount donated, for the love they showed those disadvantaged kids. In the meantime, a resounding “bravo” is in order for all volunteers, staff members and donors for their help in spreading the words and processing the donations. Once the campaign draws to a close, OCEF will determine the best uses for the funds raised, and will certainly keep our donors posted on the progress. Please continue to support the red envelope campaign!
Dadun Elementary School is located near the edge of Tengger Desert, a very remote place. The school hosts only 26 children, ranging from kindergarteners to second graders. Three dedicated teachers work very hard and the students always rank at the top in test scores amongst peer schools in the county. The school has accomplished this with badly outdated facilities and equipment, and the children have little extra-curricular activity to speak of, not even books to read. In May 2015, OCEF’s Book Program and Special Programs began to make a difference.
1. Library
The first batch of books came to Dadun School in September 2015. The kids immediately held a book reception ceremony despite heavy rains and, after carefully stamping and shelfing the books, began enjoying them right away. Since then, the library is open every Monday and each kid is allowed to borrow one book per week. During the 15 weeks of the fall semester, the library registered a total of 405 checkouts, averaging to 15.6 per student.
2. Reading Everyday
The Reading Everyday program was introduced to the school with the books. Principal Chen led the students to recite the contents every day, until they have now become a part of the kids’ daily vocabulary. The program occurs every morning, 10 minutes before the first period, and every month the three grades would each hold a Reading Everyday competition.
3. Storytelling Competition
In January 2016, with support from OCEF, the school hosted a storytelling competition. The students were encouraged to retell a story they learned from the books they read. The competition was designed to help the participants hone their skills and stimulate the other kids to catch up on their own reading. The winners of the competition were rewarded with books, which made them very happy.
4. New Desks and Chairs
In December 2015, OCEF awarded Dadun School RMB 3,904 to buy locally new desks and chairs for the kids, who are elated that they no longer have to content themselves with the old, shaky furniture.
第23期（2016年2月）/No. 23 (February 2016) 组稿：杨敏 翻译：何雪炀 编校：汤柏 Compiled by Catherine Yang Translated by He Xueyang Edited by Tang Bai
