In August 2008, HPP (Humana People to People) launched the Preschools of the Future project in Taozizhai village of Nansan township, Zhenkang County. Since then a number of preschools have been established. Currently there are 29 preschools in operation. The preschool classes are established in natural villages in remote poverty stricken areas. The preschool teachers are recruited locally and trained on the job.

Beside the traditional school subjects the children learn about nature, animals, nutrition, hygiene and how to express themselves through arts and music. The children are from 3-6 years old. Xia Huyu POF (Preschool of the Future) in Zhenkang County is one of the schools funded by Oxfam, run by Humana People to People. Jin Rongmei is a teacher at Xia Hu Preschool and she has a passion for her work and tries by all means to find solutions whenever she faces challenges with the children. Here she shares an experience on how she managed to find a solution to help one of the children in her class.

Teacher Jin Rongmei’s story

"There came a wonderful child in my class. Her name is Zou Jianna, she always cried, whether she was happy or sad. At home her parents could not stop her from crying. At school again it was the same and this led to other children follow suit. I had to think about a lot of ways on how to stop her crying. I discussed with her parents on how to help her get rid of this bad habit .I then thought of a good plan. I persuaded her to serve as the teacher’s assistant in our class. I told her that she was the teacher's little helper and that she should stop crying because other children would call her a cry baby teacher. She looked at me with sparkly eyes ,like a grownup she was pondering for a while, nodded to me and said that she will be a good teacher's little helper. She said she would not cry, and she would like to make a good example for the children, to always be a child with a smile.

I was worried that she would not go on, but I looked on her determination and true to her word she did not cry. When we had the physical examination done the doctors praised her for being brave. In her usual preschool life she is also a dutiful assistant. Every morning she helps me clean the table. When other children have difficulties she initiates to help them. After school she actively helps me clean and tidy up things. In the preschool class she became brave and loves to smile, her smile is like the sun in winter which makes a person feel the warm. Other children now all like to play with her. Her parents are also very happy that she could have such a change.
 

However, she will graduate soon, the little smiling girl, I have a sense of reluctance to part with her and I wish her kind and earnest smile can accompany her always and that she realize her dream in the future.


Teacher Jin

Children in the POF

Kids learn health habit

Kids learn to make bed


Supported by Macao Tong Chai Charity Association