Accompanying Left-behind Children for 30 Years: Selling House to Persist in Running School

Published at Dec 21, 2024 04:37 pm
 
Honghu Town in Changshou District, Chongqing, is a remote and obscure place. On the main street of this small town, there's a door less than 3 meters in length and width, resembling the main entrance of a rural courtyard. As you approach, you might hear the sounds of reading aloud, children's singing, or elegant piano music. This is the "Chongqing Changshou Honghu Culture and Arts School" founded by Ding Xing. Unlike the neighboring public elementary school, 80% of the students in this art school are left-behind children, and 50% must live on campus due to lack of parental supervision. Principal Ding Xing and a few teachers also reside at the school, eating and sleeping with the children, taking care of each other when sick, and helping out in times of need. At its peak, the school had over 500 students, but with the decline of the young rural population, there are now only 55 students enrolled, with only three in the second grade and none in the first. In an exclusive interview with Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, the 68-year-old Principal Ding Xing expressed her commitment to keeping the school open as long as there is even one child, which she believes is the path to a "fulfilling life." Over the past 30 years of running the school, she has been a constant presence in rural areas, opening a picturesque window for left-behind children and passing on the beauty of music and dance to them.● Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reporters Meng Bing, Zhang Rui reporting from Chongqing 

"The same sea and sky, welcoming dawn and stars, the same aspirations and dreams, we share one dream together..." During break time, the students stream out of the classrooms to do calisthenics. Ding Xing leads them in rehearsing the dance "Same Love, Always There" in the courtyard. "Kids, you're amazing! We've only been practicing this dance for two days and you're already doing so well!" Ding Xing enthusiastically encourages them and asks, "Kids, are you tired?" to which they respond in unison, "Not tired!" 

Art Cultivates Confidence; Childhood is Colorful 

Ding Xing graduated from a teachers' college and obtained her Chinese dance teacher qualification certificate from Beijing Dance Academy, becoming a middle school music teacher. However, over thirty years ago, art education was not popular, and schools rarely offered music classes. She discovered that many middle school students didn't even recognize basic musical notes, which inspired her to establish her own art school. "Allowing children from mountainous areas to connect with art from an early age can make them more confident, sunny, and happy." 

For a long time, the song and dance programs of Honghu Culture and Arts School were renowned throughout Changshou District and were known as Chongqing's "Cowherd Class." They performed at arts programs where dozens of schools came to learn and emulate. The students often participated in performances and competitions at district and city levels and even appeared on Chongqing's Spring Festival Gala. "Our students are talented singers and dancers. Whenever there's a dance competition in Changshou District, we generally win first place," says Ding Xing, pointing to a wall full of certificates in her office. "Once, we participated in a citywide elementary school dance competition in Chongqing and placed sixth. The kids returned saying, 'Mom Ding, we think we could have gotten first place!' I believe that the confidence, courage, and indomitable spirit exuded by rural children are immensely precious. Compared to some children who spend all day with books, their colorful childhood filled with art is more meaningful." 

Drama Talents Selection: Students Stand Out 

Next to the gate of Honghu Arts School is an old residential building with the first floor converted into a dance studio and the second and third floors as student dormitories. The dance studio was renovated this year and houses the school's most valuable instrument—a piano. The children tiptoe when passing by it. Ding Xing tells the reporter that until this year, the studio floor was uneven, yet many artistic talents emerged from this place. 

This summer, Ding Xing was immersed in joy as Junjun (alias), a girl she personally nurtured, successfully gained admission to Chongqing Sichuan Opera Theatre. "When Junjun first arrived, her parents were both working outside, and she knew nothing, shying away from everyone. However, her eyes were bright, innocent, and she was willing to endure hardship in dance training. She was tall and a good prospect for dance." Ding Xing took care of her like her own daughter—bathing, combing her hair, choosing clothes, and personally teaching her to sing and dance. Junjun had a strong sense of rhythm and would twirl involuntarily to the piano music. 

Not wanting to let artistic talents go to waste, Ding Xing contacted a dance teacher to provide lessons at her home every weekend. Junjun's family was not wealthy, so Ding Xing used her own money to buy dance clothes, dance shoes, and bus tickets to the city... This spring, Chongqing Sichuan Opera Theatre recruited 15 junior high school students nationwide in a once-in-a-decade drama talent selection. Ding Xing accompanied Junjun through rounds of selection, from a thousand candidates down to the final competition, and Junjun was successfully admitted. 

Upon hearing this, Principal Ding Xing was moved to tears. "After being admitted to the Sichuan Opera Theatre, she'll pursue a career in drama and will be directly employed by the theatre after graduation, with her position secured. Her parents are very poor, and for such a rural girl to have such a good fate, it's all thanks to her love for and dedication to art. Art has changed her life." 

Little Yu is just entering sixth grade this year and is an orphan, with the school being her home. Like Junjun, Ding Xing firmly believes she is another good prospect for dance and hopes she can strive for admission to Chongqing Dance Academy. Ding Xing also found a dance teacher for her who travels four hours by bus every weekend back and forth. Regarding the tuition fees, Ding Xing is nonchalant: "Of course, I'll cover them. She has no parents, she's an orphan, and I'm her mom." 

Author

KHO


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