Heading back to Yangjuan

All of our friends’ generosity is about to pay off directly; it’s time to award scholarships to our 2012-13 recipients. We have enough funds to support all the first- and second-year college students at a level increased from last year, about 2500 or in some special cases 3000 yuan, equal to 400-500 dollars. We have 11 second-year students and at least 12, maybe as many as 16, starting various colleges this year. It’s also encouraging that there are more girls this year, and that at least four of our students will be in regular bachelor’s degree programs. Our funds will be a material help to all of their families as they continue their education.

We will also give small awards to graduates of Yangjuan Primary school who go on to middle school; this is something that parents and teachers in the community consider important, not for the monetary amount, which is very small (about $35 each), but for the symbolic value of recognizing the importance of their decision to continue their education, and the sacrifices this represents for their families.

I’m about to take off for Chengdu, where I’ll spend one night and then go on to Xichang and Yangjuan. I won’t be on line there, but will send news in the form of a brief blog post when I return to Chengdu after the 26th.