Ximeng Preschools of the Future Project aims to prevent poor children from becoming poor adults. It is a non-profit early childhood education project based in the community providing nurturing care, playful environment and stimulating activities to all children in the preschool. The project involves the children in a variety of activities such as sports, dance and furthermore teach them how to brush their teeth and clean their hands so every child can learn good hygienic and living habits to improve health.

Every year in China Children's Day is celebrated on the 1st of June. It is a great day as children are the future custodians of the nation and thus providing them with a good social and educational environment is a goal ardently worked for. It is a tradition for Humana People to People that all POF schools (Preschools Of the Future) celebrate such a day and prepare and organize activities together with the children, parents and local authorities. Also this year POF Ximeng classes and teachers were again involved in making preparations and holding the celebrations. To prepare for this occasion the POF Ximeng project team organized meetings with teachers and parents committees to plan on how the celebrations were to be carried out. POF Ximeng has a total of 9 preschools so there was need to plan on how each preschool should organize the event.. Together with the parents committees the project staff made a plan for the arrangement, how it could be organized, who should be invited and which activities would take place on that special day. All the 9 preschools prepared games, variety shows, music and dances. The parents and other villagers participated actively in organizing and carrying out activities for the Children’s Day.

The project invited local leaders, village leaders, parents and other local villagers to come and attend the event. Different games and activities which involved both children and parents were organized. Children who excelled in the games and competitions received some rewards such as certificates and small gifts. A lot of support was shown in the preparations and also by the participation of different people who attended the event. Different government officials and local leaders extended their hand of support by donating food stuffs and cash. A total of CNY10,000 was received from different government departments, village committees and individuals. Food stuff such as biscuits, candy, eggs, assorted brands of milk, marshmallows, cakes, assorted brands of soft drinks, fruits, 2 bags of rice and not leaving out 37 cups were donated by the Health Department. All these donated items were given to the children as gifts to commemorate their day.

Local leaders attending children’s day

Children perform on their day

Parents help children in their performances

Children receive certificates after performing

Parents watch as children perform

Parents join their children in games

The teacher handing out some goodies

Donated candy, cakes etc.

This project is funded by Huang Yicong Charity Foundation (www.yicongfound.org).Content in this article reflects the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the funder.