LEFT BEHIND CHILDRENS' CARING CENTRES
Executive summary:
CRDF partners with State schools to open Left Behind Childrens' (LBC) Caring Centres to provide after-school and weekend activities, social and psychological counselling, computers to enable skype contact with parents working in urban areas, and homework support. This is a partnership initiative, with the schools providing the physical space and the teachers, and CRDF co-ordinating the project management, refurbishment, fit-out (computers, dvd's, books, furniture, toys etc), training and other regular activities.
Background:
Rapid economic development in China has encouraged millions of workers to migrate from rural areas to mega-cities. This has left millions of children under the care of relatives (mostly grandparents), family friends, or over-stretched boarding schools. Often, the carers do not have the physical ability, financial means nor possess the knowledge needed to develop these children, and help them reach their full potential. This causes these children to suffer developmental issues; under-achieving at school, being forced to work rather than attend school, become increasingly vulnerable to sexual predators, get involved in criminal activities, or develop depression (increasing suicide rates). According to the China Women's Federation there are 61 million such children across China, growing up without one or both parents—a population just under that of the whole of the UK.
Experience:
CRDF established its first Left Behind Childrens Centre in 2011 at Nianpan Public School in Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province. In 2013 and again for 2014 we received National Government funding to operate a 5 day "Healthy Growth Summer Camp" for Left Behind Children. A further 4 centres were during 2014 / 15 and are fully operational. We now have dedicated student mentors working at 2 key sites and provide mentoring to the teachers at those locations, helping them understand the unique needs of these children. Early intervention makes a huge difference and teaching staff are best placed to assess the needs.
Outputs:
- LBC Caring centres serving communities with a large proportion of LBC; identified as schools with over 2000 LBC
- Increased awareness of the affects of parental absence.
- Improved teacher training on the issues of LBC and how to deal with them.
Outcomes:
- Happier, healthier children
- Improved emotional, cognitive and 'preparedness to learn' outcomes
- Improved self-esteem, sociability, concentration and academic achievements
- Minimises 'neglected' time when children fall prey society's more unsavoury side
Sustainability:
The on-going costs of supporting each project site are modest. The centres are run by the sponsoring schools and are mostly fitted-out by volunteers. The funding requested is to enhance the physical space through refurbishment to provide a nurturing environment and for play and educational equipment. Each new centre requires 200,000 RMB or circa £20k. CRDF is providing mentors for the children and teachers on site to ensure measurable outcomes over time. There are also opportunities to sponsor the costs of these vital roles.
Executive summary:
CRDF partners with State schools to open Left Behind Childrens' (LBC) Caring Centres to provide after-school and weekend activities, social and psychological counselling, computers to enable skype contact with parents working in urban areas, and homework support. This is a partnership initiative, with the schools providing the physical space and the teachers, and CRDF co-ordinating the project management, refurbishment, fit-out (computers, dvd's, books, furniture, toys etc), training and other regular activities.
Background:
Rapid economic development in China has encouraged millions of workers to migrate from rural areas to mega-cities. This has left millions of children under the care of relatives (mostly grandparents), family friends, or over-stretched boarding schools. Often, the carers do not have the physical ability, financial means nor possess the knowledge needed to develop these children, and help them reach their full potential. This causes these children to suffer developmental issues; under-achieving at school, being forced to work rather than attend school, become increasingly vulnerable to sexual predators, get involved in criminal activities, or develop depression (increasing suicide rates). According to the China Women's Federation there are 61 million such children across China, growing up without one or both parents—a population just under that of the whole of the UK.
Experience:
CRDF established its first Left Behind Childrens Centre in 2011 at Nianpan Public School in Nanjiang County, Sichuan Province. In 2013 and again for 2014 we received National Government funding to operate a 5 day "Healthy Growth Summer Camp" for Left Behind Children. A further 4 centres were during 2014 / 15 and are fully operational. We now have dedicated student mentors working at 2 key sites and provide mentoring to the teachers at those locations, helping them understand the unique needs of these children. Early intervention makes a huge difference and teaching staff are best placed to assess the needs.
Outputs:
- LBC Caring centres serving communities with a large proportion of LBC; identified as schools with over 2000 LBC
- Increased awareness of the affects of parental absence.
- Improved teacher training on the issues of LBC and how to deal with them.
Outcomes:
- Happier, healthier children
- Improved emotional, cognitive and 'preparedness to learn' outcomes
- Improved self-esteem, sociability, concentration and academic achievements
- Minimises 'neglected' time when children fall prey society's more unsavoury side
Sustainability:
The on-going costs of supporting each project site are modest. The centres are run by the sponsoring schools and are mostly fitted-out by volunteers. The funding requested is to enhance the physical space through refurbishment to provide a nurturing environment and for play and educational equipment. Each new centre requires 200,000 RMB or circa £20k. CRDF is providing mentors for the children and teachers on site to ensure measurable outcomes over time. There are also opportunities to sponsor the costs of these vital roles.
